MELBOURNE ROUGHS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2405, 1 December 1880, Page 3

MELBOURNE ROUGHS.

An instance occurred last week of the utter disregard of law and order evinced by the lowest class of the Melbourne populace. The “Argus” of November 23 reports it as follows Yesterday afternoon a serious affray occurred in Hoddle street, Collingwood. Shortly before 1 o clock a mob consisting of some thirty larrikins entered the Victoria Hotel, kept by Mr Upton, and demanded drink. They were refused, when the roughs at once commenced to threaten the person in charge of the bar, and held possession of the house for some time, in the meantime conducting themselves in a most disgraceful manner. Constables Kane and O’Shea, who were on duty in the neighbourhood, being-informed of the disturbance, proceeded to the house, when they were attacked in a most vicious manner by the mob, and would have been severely illused had it not been that Constables Shortell and Charleston (who were returning from parade) happened to arrive on the scene. A serious fight then took place between the police and the mob, in which one or two of the larrikins drew their knives and threatened to stab the officers. By this time the mob had come out of the hotel, and had got on to a piece of vacant ground, where they commenced stoning the police. Constable Shortell who was in the act of defending himself from one of the ruffians who had . drawn a knife was rendered insensible by a blow on the head from a large stone, which was thrown at him by one of the gang named Donclly. After some further fighting three of the roughs, named Peddy, Donelly, and Bamfield, were arrested and removed to the lock Up, but the remainder got away. On examining Constable Shortell it was found that he had received averyseiious wound on the side of the head, and it is feared that the skull is fractured. The stone with which he was struck weighed some 6lb, and cut completely through his helmet. He was removed to his quarters, and at a late hour last evening w r as reported to be in a very weak condition.