A Strike Incident.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 64, 15 November 1913, Page 5

A Strike Incident.

A BOGUS CONSTABLE. ARMED WITH REVOLVERS. [Per Press Association.] Auckland, November 14

A sensational arrest took place near the hospital this afternoon, when a youth, named Charles George Chatheld, was arrested on a charge of attempting to discharge a loaded revolver at a special constable, Cecil Lynch He was wearing a special constable's badge and a party of "specials" were going over the Grafton road bridge when they saw Chatfield. They had their suspicions as to his bona fides, so it was determined that Chatfield should be given an opportunity of explaining his identity. Two constables approached the man and inquired where he had got the badge on him. Replying that it was his special constable's badge, Lynch asked Chatfield which company he was in. In reply he stated that he had come from Mercer. Not feeling satisfied, Lynch informed Chatfield that he would have to go to the Domain camp to be identified.

It was at this juncture that the exciting incident rose, which, it is alleged, culminated in Chatfield drawing a loaded revolver and pointing it Lynch. He attempted to run away, but one of the "specials" caught him by the coat and placed his arms round him. When the constable did this he

saw Chatfield raise his right hamf and he felt something touching the side of his head. Thinking it was a baton, the "special" overthrew the accused and held him down on the ground.

"Whilst I did this," said the special constable, "I saw some of the other constables relieve accused of a revolver which he held in his right hand'." From accounts given by the other constables it seems that Chatfield had the weapons fully loaded. One was pointed at Lynch, and Chatfield then plac'erl his hand in 0710 of his side coat pockets. His band was removed from the pocket, from which Lynch ab-

stracted another loaded revolver of larger calibre than the first one. Chatfield then submitted quietly, and was taken to the Domain camp. On the way there he handed over a number of loose cartridges' to a special ' constable. He was afterwards removed to the city Police Station, where he was charged that on November 14, 1913, in the city of Auckland, he did attempt to discharge a revolver! loaded with destructive material at one Cecil Lynch. Accused is said to be only IS years of age, and is described ■as l a horse-hair worker.