A somewhat serious disturbance took place in the canteen at the Featherston camp on Monday, the trouble lasting from 7 p.m. till about 10 p.m.
It is stated that a good deal of dissatisfaction has existed for some time regarding the charges made for certain articles in this canteen, which the men consider exorbitant.
This feeling appears to have culminated in an outbreak on Monday night, when a number of windows and skylights in the building were broken.
When a Dominion reporter visited the camp on Tuesday forenoon these signs of the fray were visible, and from the stories of several officers and soldiers who were present during the disturbance the following account was gathered.
All agreed that the men acted unwisely, though most of them considered that they had provocation in the charges made in the canteen.
It appears that shortly after 7 o'clock a number of soldiers were in the canteen, and one of them purchased an ink pencil, for which he had to pay 1s. This caused a dispute, in which the soldiers took strong action, necessitating the bringing in of the military police, who arrested a soldier.
Instantly trouble threatened, and the interior of the canteen was a scene of great disorder. Soon a large hogshead of hop beer had been seized and rolled outside.
After a time the order to fall in was sounded, and the onlookers at once responded, but there still remained a body of men who seemed bent on wreaking their wrath on the canteen in a body.
The officers, who acted with courage and decision throughout, at length got the soldiers outside the building and closed the doors. The men then formed up and charged the doors.
Inside the officers packed against the doors and withstood the shock. Then the men seized stones and other missiles, and hurled them through the windows and skylight.
By degrees the trouble died down, and the men returned to their quarters.
■An example of neighbourly kindness by residents of Waipahi and Wairuna districts has come under our notice.
A week or two ago a well-known resident (Mr T. T. Bagrie) contracted a malady which required his removal to a private hospital in Dunedin, where he lay at death's door until skilful medical attention and a robust constitution pulled him through the crisis.
The leading in of his crop was just in progress, and the mill was due almost immediately. With rare comrade's spirit the neighbours gathered together, finished the garnering of his crop, saw to the milling, and dipped the sheep of their invalided neighbour.
- ODT, 13.4.1916.
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