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Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 122, 28 April 1885, Page 2

A further description of the incident is given m the Herald as follows : — One of the most pitiable and repulsive sights ever witnessed m Wanganui was presented to the public on Saturday evenning. The "Array" had been doing their usual Saturday night's parade on the reclaimed ground, when two 'figures' appeared on the scene. Who, or what they were, was to the general public a mystery, bui; the sight of them led to the formation of an immense crowd, (there could not have been less than 500) which followed the " Army " up the Avenue. The ' figures' or females, as they turned out to be women, placed themselves m the front of the band, and were jostled and knocked about fn every possible manner by the crowd, which kept continually increasing both m numbers and noise. Opposite the Victoria Hotel the police interfered and arrested the two women. The crowd at once left the " Army " to itself, and followed the police, who found it a difficult matter to force through with their prisoners. On arrival at the Police Station ', the prisoners wore seen to be women, and after ascertaining their names, etc., they were liberated on bail till this morning. A description of the toggery m which these foolish creatures had condescended to make themselves up, is rather a difficult matter No. 1, a tall, slim person, had on an Austrian ru? (not by itself, but over her other garments) , this reached almost to her feet. On her head was an embroidered smoking cap, round which was fastened the heading of the War Cry.. A white handkerchief under this was fixed under her chin, a pair of spectacles worn above the eyes, a War Cry round her neck, and flour on her face, completed the disguise — a most effectual one. No. 2, unlike her companion m physical appearance, was short and stout. The fulness of her figure was increased by her attire, which consisted of a shawl hung from her waist (Maori fashion), and a sort of military cloak, which was, if anything more appalling than her neighbour's, as she had on a 1 dunce's cap' made from the War Cry, and this being too large came down over her eyes, giving her, on the whole, the appearance of having on clothes made for someone a few feet taller. The crowd at the station did not disperse for some time after they had been taken m, the unwonted spectacle proving too interesting to a large number of boys and men.