NEGROES V. POLICE.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1917, Page 4

NEGROES V. POLICE.

Serious Disturbance

Four Coloured Seamen Arrested.

A serious disturbance, culminating in the arrest of four negro seamen belonging to an oversea vessel, occur' red near the main entrance of the Queen’s wharf and later on the King’s wharf shortly after 10 o'clock on Saturday night, says the N.Z. Times. It appears that the disturbance originated when several negro seamen, who, it is said, had indulged in city hotels rather freely, commenced to shout, sing, howl, and otherwise make the night hideous. Two or three had divosted themselves of their coats, evidently with the intention|of making the disturbance a more active one, when Constable Flemiug appeared and asked them to desist. The seamen approached the constable in a threatening manner, and when he pushed one of them back, another rushed at the constable and hit him on thi shoulder w»th some weapon.

Constable Fleming landed back straight and true, and the son of Ham let out a terrific howl. Thiugs were looking ugly for a while, when a tramway officer came along and rendered assistance to the distressed policeman. Eventually, after much shouting and howling from the negroes they were herded aloDg to the King’s wharf, where their vessel was berthed.

ANOTHER ENCOUNTER,

. Shortly after, as Constable Hassel passed the vessel in question, ha found himself hailed with yells aud Bhouta that were in a moment followed by something more material in the shape of iron bolts, brioka and bottles. The negro seamen on board the vessel evl-' dently mistook him for Constable Fleming, and wished to wreak ven-

geance on him, la a few moments the air was thick with flying missiles. Constable Hassel rushed to the nearest telephone and appealed to the Lambtou Station for reinforcements.

By this time tha negroes had descended to the wharf, and the position was looking Berious for Constable Hassel, A Harbour Board official and a bluejacket were attraoted by the hullabaloo, and rushed to the constable's aid. The man-o’-warsman 0 was rendered “ hors de combat ” by a blow on the head, however. When the police reinforcements arrived, the negroes retreated to their ship again, and jeered at the constables. The men in blue responded by rushing up the gaugway while the negroes retrea’ei to the foc’slo. Then ensued a terrific fight, in which the seamen came off second best. Missiles flow in showers up the foc’sle ladder, while in the words of one of the constables who took part, the negroes “roared like lions.”

Four of the negroes, much battered and bruised, were eventually seoured aud marched to Lambtou Station,

it is probable that several other members of the crew wiil be arrested.

Constable Hassel, although cot seriously hurt, was badly knocked about, aud was unable to go ou duly next day.