KING MOB IN MELBOURNE.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1232, 14 February 1878, Page 3

KING MOB IN MELBOURNE.

Tho Melbourne "Daily Telegraph" supplies tho following account of the disorderly proceedings in Melbourne on tho evening of Sir , Bryan O'Loglilen's election:— During the day, notwithstanding the orderly nature of tho proceedings, there were many prognostications that the evening would see a serious disturbance, and the opinion was advanced that if Mr Francis headed the poll the " Daily Telegraph" and " Argus" offices would be made the object of attack. Shorlly after eight o'clock a howling mob of about 8000 persons entered Collins street, and it was eyident they meant mischief. A halt was made in front of the "Argus" office, and for some time the crowd was contented with yelling, screaming, and hooting, but they gradually became more demonstrative, and a glimpse at the excited throng was convincing proof of the revolutionary effect of the administration of the affairs of the colony by the present Government. After howling like wild beasts, the "Daily Telegraph " office was honorod by a visit, and here there was a repetition of the scene that had been witnessed in front of the " Argus " office. It was thought that Sir Bryan O'Loghlen, whose cause these people had espoused, having won the day, the manifestation of feeling woull be confined to howls, and that no actual violence would be offered. Not so, howerer. The crowd having howled something like confidence into themselves, began to demonstrate what moblaw was, and operations were commenced by their smashing the large lamp in front of the " Daily Telegraph " office. Then the crash of broken glass denoted that the windows of the "Argus" office had been attacked. This was just the beginning, and window after window was broken, and as each act of destruction was ruthlessly perpetrated, a roar of satisfaction burst from the throats of the riotous throng. Two or three policemen were on the scene, but they wero unable to do anything, and the law was violated with impunity. In such contempt were the police held that cheers for them were called for and given, and immediately afterwards several members of the force were stoned, the result being that Constable Brennan sustained a very severe blow on the chest by one stone, while Constable Walshe was struck in the eye by another, and sustained a very ugly wound. The timely arrival of a few more policemen saved the windows of "The Daily Telegraph." A second attack had been made on the office, but the crowd had only succeeded in throwing a stone through one window when the police arrived, and the courage of those who had been so bold just previously, when not confronted with opposition, visibly abated. In vain a number of young rowdies at the rear of the crowd called upon those in front to rush the office, but while those behind cried "forward," those in front cried "back." A sudden move was soon made back again to the "Argus" office, but before any further act of destruction was perpetrated, Captain Standish appeared upon the scene. He was at once asked by the crowd if ho intended to read the Riot Act, and he replied that he wished to appeal to their own good sense, and ask them to go home. A shout of laughter greeted the reply, but no more windows were broken, and when Inspector Ryall appeared shertly afterwards, his intimate knowledge of the criminal class enabled him to recognise several of the rowdies, and when he greeted members of this class with, " I know you now; you had better get home," the discomfiture of the crowd was complete. Thus the scene of violence ended, but it was not until nearly 10 o'clock that Collins street was cleared of the excited throng.