Milk-Bar “Cowboys” Converge On Napier

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28259, 23 April 1957, Page 17

Milk-Bar “Cowboys” Converge On Napier

(New Zealand Press Association)

NAPIER, April 22. Napier police and traffic officers clamped down heavily on a large band of milk-bar “cowboys” who converged on Napier from other North Island centres during the week-end. Several incidents occurred on Friday night and Saturday, with youths on motor-cycles and in cars speeding through the city streets and performing stunts. Speeding motor-cycles roared up and down Emerson street, Napier, some of the young riders standing on the saddles. Others sped through the city’s main streets with pillion riders facing to the rear. A motor-car dashed along Emerson street with a youth standing on the top of the bonnet and another perched on the back bumper bar. Later, the vehicle was seen speeding up Shakespeare road with both doors open and flapping. The band later assembled in Emerson street, straggling across the footpath and road and blocking all traffic. A constable dispersed the group. Police and traffic officers say that the youth were surly and truculent when approached. It is not known where they and their girl companions—numbering altogether more than 100—have been staying during their visit to Hawke’s Bay. The incidents culminated in a large-scale clash between police and a group of about 60 youths and their girl friends at Pakowhai, near Hastings, on\Saturday night.

The youths gathered at the picnic ground at Pakowhai and after complaints about their behaviour, police and Transport Department officers struck swiftly and broke up the party. Three 15-year-old girls were taken back to their homes in Napier by police.

The names of some of the youths were taken, and a powerful detached spotlight was confiscated from two of them after a traffic patrol car driver was blinded by its glare. Chief Transport Officer J. W. Coddington, of Napier, said that the youths, from Wellington, Hutt Valley, Auckland, Hamilton, Wanganui, Palmerston North and Gisborne, had assembled in Hastings and had travelled in a group of more than 100 to Napier. “They were checked for licences and warrants of fitness in Hastings and behaved quite well on the main highway from Hasings to Napier,” he said. Chief Traffic Officer J. P. J.

Regan, of the Napier City Council’s traffic department, said that the invasion had been expected. The authorities knew it was intended to “do over” Napier and Hastings. “Most of them are just cheeky louts who are quickly being taught a few lessons in good manners,” he said.