THE RARATONGA RIOT.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1919, Page 3

THE RARATONGA RIOT.

A RESIDENT'S STATEAIENT. AUKCLAND, Alarch 25. A resident of Kara tonga, writing tq a friend at Auckland regarding the recent riot of returned soldiers, states:—“The hoys arrived by the Pnloona on Alarch 3. Great preparations wore made to receive them, and all united to give the men the welcome they deserved—opo that would express the gratitude and joy of their people. During the first week we had many signs that some of the hoys meant to be troublesome. On Sunday, Alarcli 9th, we had a very impressive service in the open air. The, colours were handed over (consecrated), to be kept in the church. Unfortunately a great deal of hush beer was eonsuniedi after the morning service, and by Sunday evening many soldiers were beyond control. A number of sober .faithful soldiers were got together to guard the town, and by about 10 p.m. all was quiet. On Monday some of the ringleaders wore tried, and sentenced to fiye years’ imprisonment. Effective arrangements were made to keep the peace. Our troubles are not over, hut we do not anticipate anything as serious as the disturbance of last Sunday night. We are glad to find so many of our boys who are not spoilt by their experiences in other countries, and although a number of them have brought shame and trouble upon us yet, wo cannot forget the great service, good record, and loyalty of the great majority of them. Really bad cases are very few, and the. troublesome cases are altogether about fifty.