POLITICAL LARRIKINS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 423, 16 December 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL LARRIKINS.

A DISGRACEFUL EPISODE

Wellington, Friday

The proceedings in connection with the election culminated here in a disgraceful exhibition of political hoodiumisrn. As Sir Joseph Ward accompanied by Lady Ward and Miss Ward left the Times office after midnight, and started to walk quietly home, a band of larrikins, some mere youths, commenced a hostile demonstration, and followed them all along the Quay and up Hill street to Aw'arua House, groaning, yelling, and threatening violence. The Inspector of Police and several constables formed themselves into a bodyguard and protected the 3tnall party from the crowd, which was evidently in a decdiedly unpleasant mood. It appeared to the onlookers that the police were very careful not to excite the crowd to further efforts, and displayed a degree of caution which was somewhat remarkable under the circumstances. as the party entered the grounds of Awarua House, the foremost members of the crowd made a wild rush for the gates, which, however, were closed in their faces. Some of the more venturesome endeavoured to scramble over, but were pulled down by the police. The crowd then,at the instance of the police, dispersed, after venting its feelings in groans and hootings. Lady and Miss Ward were obviously distressed at the hostile demonstration, which was the most disgraceful ever witnessed in the political history of Wellington, though not regarded as of the slightest political significance.