RIOTS IN TOWNSVILLE.

Taihape Daily Times, 1 July 1919, Page 5

RIOTS IN TOWNSVILLE.

POLICE FIRE ON CROWD._ SEVEN’ TA-KEN TO HOSPITAL. “REAL OWNERS OF THE TOWN.’? TOWNSVILLE, June 30. A crowd of 400 residents of Townsville attacked the stoekmen in charge of a mob of cattle consigned -to the Ross River M-cat Works. They took the cattle out of the possession of the stockmen and scattered them over the neighbouring country.' Later aicrowd, numbering several thousands, marched to the police station. They were ordered to disperse, but took no notice of the -order. The police then fired a volley of blank Cartridges over the heads of the crowd, but this proved entirely ineiTec.— tivc, and the demo-nstration continuing, they fired with ball cartriklge, wounding a number. The crowd then scattered, leaving seven more or less seriously wounded lying in the streets. These were picked up and taken to the hospital for treatment.. ~ At a subsequent meeting the rioters were told by their leaders to make |MC»n(la.y :1. rod-letter «lay and show the ruling class that the rioters were the real leaders and owners of the town. Several of the sfieechmiakers were arrested. .

LEADERS ON TRIAL. GUARDED WITH FIXED BAYONETS. Received July 1, noon. V BRISBANE, this day. -The Court at Townsvillc. where the unionist leaders were remandéd, was guarded by police with fixed bayonet-s. -A meéfing of Cabinet decided to close all the hotels in Townsville until the "trouble is over. 4 A proclamation calls upon 'avll"c’i’ci—zens there to’-refrain from participating in the <leinonstrafions. Furth’er' pro: elarnations are being issued calling on all Vpossessors of firearms to hand them to the magistrate sn.t Townsville, ‘threatening’ prosecution for failure to comply. A » THE TOWNSVIL-LE RIOTS.‘ BRTSBNAE, June 30.Further trouble occurred" at Townsville. The arrested unionist leader was remanded for a week. Thereupon a mass meeting of _unionis‘ts decided that no work be done till the arresfed leader is role‘a’sed. Stibsequentlythe (=l-mvd ntl-acl~:ed four" policemen in a street. Several shots Awere fired. Then :1 rush took place to the Alligator meat Works where the crowd fil—tl‘e3.t.ed the manager. The crowd raided two shops and secured :1 considerable number of rifles and :unmunition_ The police so far have taken no action.