In 1914 Colin Wade, RB Waterson and eight other trade union leaders were held here for three weeks without charge in terms of the Peace Ordinance first introduced by Lord Milner. Several were members of the War on War League which opposed sending South Africans to fight abroad. Many had seen active service in the Anglo Boer War so their pacifism was based on a loathing for the devastation and horrors of the war. Wade was released and never charged; eight others were kipnapped and deported by their own government, causing an international outcry.