OUT OF HAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 July 1918, Page 3

OUT OF HAND.

SCENES m WELLINGTON. On Saturday there was a recrudescence of tin; disturbance which enlivened tho city the previous day (says the Wellington Times). The visiting returned soldiers, who havo made their stay in Wellington a memorable one, were again given leave, which many of them spent in ill-advised fashion. Throughout the afternoon and evening the civil police were kept busy dealing with inebriated soldiers, who freely indulged in stand-up fights and general disorderly behaviour. Many of the men fought among themselves, and all attempts to pacify them proved fruitless. Several soldiers managed to secure bottles of liquor, and in the melee broken glass was strewn indiscriminately. An unpleasant feature of the affair was the objectionable manner in which some of the men behaved to women. This occurred near the waterfront, and in some instances the police were compelled to resort to salutary measures.

TROUBLE m CUBA STREET. Following on Friday night's disturbance, the police fully anticipated a rowdy Saturday. From the appearance of a great number of the men in the afternoon it was not difficult to forecast wlhat would happen. In Cuba street the apprehension was more than justified. The licensee of one hotel had an extremely anxious time. The men attempted to take charge of the premises, and the utmost tact and patience had to be exercised in order to prevent very serious damage being done. Things were particularly lively at the Coffee Palace, of which Mr William Harvey is the proprietor. Owing to their condition a soldier and a naval man were refused meals. So incensed were they at the refusal that they made an attack on the proprietor and commenced to smash everything breakable that lay within their reach. It was found necessary to dispatch a squad of mounted constables to the scene, and Constable Hollis was also sent to the restaurant. As a safeguard .the police cleared the premises, and after a lively scuffle the troublesome ones were secured and escorted to the police station. Scott, the naval man, was charged with wilfully damaging articles of the value of £5, and was subsequently bailed out and handed over to the military authorities.

SCENE IN WILLIS STREET. Serious trouble also occurred in Willis street. A crowd of soldiers, many of whom were almost helplessly drunk, practically took charge of the street, and would not listen to reason. The utmost diplomacy on the part of the police and private citizenß failed to quell the disturbance, which spread to Mercer street, Boulcott street, and other adjacent localities. The police mixed freely with the soldiers, but the latter refused to be pacified. However, the police succeeded in getting some of the troublesome ones away. In view of the temper of the men; It was deemed inexpedient to make any arrests. It is stated that no visiting picket put in an appearance during the Willi3 street disturbance. Throughout the proceedings the police used great tact, and were extremely patient with the men. This caused much favourable comment from onlookers. Hotelkeepers had rather an anxious time. On Saturday afternoon a large number of men came in from the Featherston and Trentham Camps on leave, and ttoieir behaviour was exemplary throughout the day.