CHRISTMAS DAY IN AUCKLAND.

Evening Star, Issue 3706, 8 January 1875, Page 3

CHRISTMAS DAY IN AUCKLAND.

A most disgraceful row ocourred in Queen street, Auckland, on Christmas evening, through the conduct of some six or eight liberty men from H. M S. Rosario, who were intoxicated, and fairly took possession of the street. In Vulcan lane three of the seamen quarrelled with a bushman, then foueht with him, and finally caused him, by the force of numbers, to run up the street. One ruffianly seaman, of large stature, powerful frame, and immense strength, whe went in pursuit seeing Mr Robertson, the proprietor of the Queens ferry H"tel, standing in the roadway, seized him by the shoulders, flung him with violence on the flagged pavement, by which his knees were severely cut, the flesh ef his hands lacerated, and his body severely shaken. Mr Robinson is nearly eighty years of age. Most of the police were absent on leave, and it was nearly an hour after the row commenced before a sufficient force could be got together. When this was done, desp rate encounter ensued between the police and the sailors The police, in attemp ing to arrest the two most desperate of the seamen were violently assaulted, and in defence were compelled to resort to some very rough usuage, by which the seamen were seriously wounded. At this time probably from eight hundred to a thousand persons had assembled at the lower end of Queen street, between the Insurance Companv’s buildings and Shortland Crescent. The greater number of these were spectators, neither assisting the police or offering any obstruction to them in their attempt to arrest the ringleaders. But there was the element of ruffianism present, comprising men of the lowest caste, who not only incited the drunken sailors to resist and assault the police, but aided in rescuing them from their hands when in custody. The scene of disorder was, at half past eight, as disgraceful a one as has probably ever been witnessed in Auckland. By nine o’clock the police had succeeded in arresting eight seamen, and they were secured in the guard house. Of the injuries sustains! by the police— one was bitten severely on the thigh while securing a prisoner, another on the leg. One constable was seized by the foot by a ruffian, who twisted it round with such force that the unfortunate man has since had to be conveyed to the hospital, where he is likely to remain an inmate for some considerable time.