THE LONDON RIOTS. London, October 14.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 229, 19 November 1887, Page 4

THE LONDON RIOTS. London, October 14.

During the past week London has been the scene of most disgraceful rioting on the part of a number of roughs, idlers, and loafers in assisting at so. called demonstrations of the unemployed. The disturbances commenced last week, when a small knot of men started addressing the outcasts who take refuge every night in Trafalgar Square. This was followed by meetings in the day time, and the delivery of many violent speeches. On Friday last the agitators marched in procession to the Mansion House, a black banner being prominently displayed with the inscription, "We will have work or bread." The procession proceeded by way of the Strand, Fleet-street, and St. Paul's Churchyard, greatly impeding traffic in the city. A large force ol police accompanied , the procession to keep order. On arrival , at , t<he Mansion House, several leaders among the crowd wished

to enter the' building, but the Lord* Mayor absolutely refused to see' them. This caused much offence tothe demonstration, and several speakers roundly abused the Mayor.' The rain, which had been falling •heavily, caused a great number of the crowd to disperse, but a large body maiched back in procession through the city. On passing the "Standard" Office, the mob hissed and grormed, on account of a leading article published in that paper, which was unfavourable, to the demonstration. Here the mob first came into actual collision with the police. Several, constables were assaulted and a number of youths were arrested. On Saturday there were further demonstrations at Trafalgar Square, the mob afterwards marching through the. city to Stepne}', where they dispersed without disturbance. On Sunday the demonstrators assembled at 'Trafalgar Square, and marched to Westminster Abbey with the intention of attending divine service. They reached the Abbey half an hour after the service had commenced, and^ there was consequently no room, and las they were unable to enter they marched back to the Square, where, they dispersed quiotl.y.