EXTRAORDINARY DISTURBANCE AT CHATHAM.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2358, 20 August 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

EXTRAORDINARY DISTURBANCE AT CHATHAM.

A body of Kent constabulary, under the charge of Inspector Lacy, were engaged at New’Bromptou, near Chatham recntly, in quelling a disturbance of a’ serious character, which, but for the timely intervention of the police, might have resulted iu loss of life and considerable damage to property. For several years, it appears, a religious sect calling themselves Jez reelites,” and professing to be members of the “ New ami Latter House of Israel,” have taken up their quarters at New Brampton, where there is iu course of erection a huge stone building, said to he capable of accomodating 144,000 of the sect, who will eventually assemble there. IV itii the view of tiading employment for those members who already have taken up their residence iu the neighbourhood, some twenty or thirty shops have been opened iu Brompton and Chatham, and the business of grocers, bakers, printers, bootmakers, Ac., carried on. Two years ago the founder of the sect a man named James White, who was a private soldier stationed at Chatham, died, and the management of the f-ect devolved upon his wife, Esther, who since that time has styled herself “ Queen Esther. 1 ' Under her reyime continual internal dissensions have occurred, and a number of the members who have came from America and other distant parts of the globe, and deposited the whole of their word’y belongings unreservedly iu the Jezrcelite exchequer, Lave now been turned adrift in New Brampton, and are in an almost destitute condition. Among this number is a man named Noah Drew, who a short time since was a flourishing farmer iu Michigan, and who, with several sons and his wife, was induced to come to England and throw in his lot with ■‘•he sect. On Monday night Drew was walking along High-street, New llrompton, when ho was met by a procession of Jozreelitcs, with music playing and banners flying. Some remarks appear to have been made to Drew, who thereupon retaliated by charging the leaders with fraud. A large concourse of people speedily gathered round, and Drew recounted his grievances. The 000 or CBO poople who had assembled cried shame on the Jezreelites, broke into the ranks, smashed the instruments, tore the banners into fragments, and made a raid on the Jezreelites’ house, almost wrecking if, hut on the arrival of the constabulary the crowd soon disper-ed.