THE RUSH ON A CITY SHOP.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1894, 31 October 1913, Page 8

THE RUSH ON A CITY SHOP.

WHITCOMBE & TOMBS. CONSTABLE HURT IN THE MELEE. Disgraceful proceedings took place in Lambton Quay and the Post Office Square just after 5 p.m. Tho strikers opened with violent speeches, and, presently, there followed a wild rush towards AVaterloo Quay. In this rush two constables wero injured. Moro speeches followed in tho Square, and, presently, ono of tho mounted striko pickets arrived with tho news that certain special constables, who had just been sworn in, were coming down tho main streets of tho city. Immediately tho mass of lumpers dashed up Grey Street towards Lambton Quay, with cries of "Head 'em off!" and "Give 'em a go I" The Mob at the Shop. Several special men wero cornered In tho doorway of Whitcombe and Tombs' shop, but three at least walked quietly through tho crowd, and still carrying their batons, mado an exit through Grey Street. By this time, however, tho incident at Whitcombo and Tombs had developed into a serious rjot. Tho street was densely packed, the traffic was blocked, and the window's and balconies in the vicinity wero studded with onlookers. Thoso of the special constables who mado their way into tho shop which now was tho strikers' objective, soon had three members of tho permanent force, to assist them. Another man, however, was not fortunate enough to get insiclo tho door, and ho was quickly divoatod of his hat, his

badge, and his baton. He broke free, however, made off along the Quay pursued by half a dozen of the strike party, and managed to gain security in a building near Panama Street. A.threatening mob was collecting outside the building, when four mounted constables put in an appearance from Panama Street, aiid quickly dispersed this section of tbo rioters. A storm of hooting greeted tho mounted men, and i'rom another quarter came cheers. Police Batons Drawn. Meanwhile the situation outside the warehouso of Messrs. Wliitcombe and Tombs was assuming an uglier aspect as each minuto advanced. Three constables on foot were endeavouring to keep back a howling mob of the strikers. It seemed useless, but the police stuck to their posts resolutely, and it was oiily when .gentler methods proved inadequate that batons were drawn. Many of the strikers were armed with sticks and captured-batons and as the three men in blue laid about them, the strikers replied vigorously. The four mounted men, who wore approaching from Grey Street, did not appear to realise that their comrades on foot wero in such a plight.. By sheer force of numbers, the police on foot were being overpowered and 6till tbo four mounted men had not forced a passage to their assistance. The Staff's Revolvers. ' Beaten back with the batons, the strikers paused only for a second before surging onward again, but a pointed revolver held them in awe now. They were, furthor checked by the sight of firearms in the possession of members of the staff in "Wliitcombe and Tombs. It appears that several revolvers are kept in the firm's safe, and while some mombers of the staff rushed upstairs, others prepared to receive the rioters with revolvers and ebony rulers. It was due to their action that the riot had not taken a more serious turn by the time the mounted men got through the crowd to the assistance of their comrades. Constable Hurt. As it was olio of the policenicn on foot recoived injuries, these including a' very serious gash on the neck. The shop windows were smashed in places and on the strikers' side some heads suffered. As the four mounted constables. came on thero were further hoots and some of those in the crowd hurled crackers at their horses. One of the horsemen, however, chartred through tho crowd and quickly forced a right-of-way. The injured policeman, was then rescued and. assisted away, while tho crowd vented its wrath by destroying helmets, which had been purloined, and cheering derisively as the remnants were tossed high into the air.