NORTHERN TERRITORY

Taihape Daily Times, 31 December 1918, Page 5

NORTHERN TERRITORY

DISTURBANCE AT DARWIN j | DISSATISFIED RESIDENTS. Further details of the trouble between residents of the Northern Territory, Australia and the Administrator, Dr. J. A. Gilruth, came to hand, The crisis was reported to be practically the outcome of a boycott of the State hotel bars, consequent on the recent rise in the price of bottled beer, but that issue is now a minor one in the long list of grievances from which redress is sought. After a stop-w T ork meeting at Vestey’s meat works about 400 men marched in procession to ■ Darwin headed by a motorcar conveying an effigy of Dr.., Gilruth. The procession I v.ms fully 700 strong when it reached Government House, and a crowd of j townspeople increased it to 1000. A resolution was unanimously carried to the effect that Dr. Gilruth be asked to address the meeting regarding his administration of the Northern Territory for the last five years, and that, failing to comply, he be asked if he is willing to leave the Territory by the Steamer, and remain away until such time as a public commission is granted, on his administration. The meeting will guarantee a safe conduct to the steamer. Also that Judge B’ev.an be asked to comply regarding his judiciary administration to the same extent as Dr. Gilruth.” In introducing the deputation, the Mayor took strong exception to the presence of a jjfioeial constable twirling a loaded stick. Dr. Gilruth refused to explain the presence of special constables, or to order them away The deputation lasted for over an j hour and a half, with an impatient, 1 crowd waiting outside, after two subj deputations had been sent to hurry j up matters. Dr. Gilruth eventually came to the fence and addressed the crowd. Ho said that he was the servant of the Commonwealth, and took his instructions solely from the Minister. If the Minister said he was to leave by that steamer he would go, but not otherwise. He had not framed the ordinances for which he had been I blamed. This had been done in Mel-

bourne. Furthermore, he bad never on any occasion refused to forward to the Minister any grievances which had been submitted him. Mr Hardic Gibson replied that the answers given were not satisfactory. Then someone called out “Hop over the fence.” The constables tand special constables were promptly disarmed. Some lattice work of windows was broken, and the high wire netting at the end of the tennis-court was pulled down. In going to obtain the revolver, from the pocket of the Government secretary: an assailant tore

the secretary's trousers right down, putting him. out of action. A few hits were exchanged. Then one of those present told the crowd that they had done quite enough to show that they were in earnest, and advised them to go home. This they did, after dragging the effigy of Dr. Gilruth in front of the gate of Government House, further soaking it in kerosene and sotting it in flames. A rifle seized from a special constable was broken and thrown in the fire. Ho one was seriously hurt. Dr. Gilruth did not go away by the steamer. /