WELLINGTON STREET RIOT

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 16 August 1917, Page 2

WELLINGTON STREET RIOT

A DISGRACEFUL SCENE. The “New Zealand Times” of yesterday says:—‘‘One of the wildest and most disorderly scenes ever seen in the city occurred on Saturday night in the vicinity of Cuba and Vivian Streets. Over two thousand persons were attracted by the disturbance, and some of those present handled the police, who had a man under arrest, very roughly. A DRUNKEN FIREMAN. It was the behaviour of a drunken fireman that led up to the mob taking the law into their own hands. The man in question was in the bar of the Imperial Hotel, Cuba Street, and the licensee had put him out on to the street on several occasions. He persisted on entering the hotel and making a nuisance of himself. Eventually the police were sent for. Constable McColl arrived on the scene shortly before 10 o ’clock. Being unable to persuade the fireman to leave, he arrested him. After handcuffing his man, he managed to get him out on to the street. He had no sooner done so when he was jumped upon by two the arrested man’s companions. Then the crowd that had gathered entered the fray. The constable and the men were parted, with the result that the arrested man and those who assaulted the constable made good their escape. Sergeant Criucksbanks, of Mount Cook arrived about this time, and ue and Constable McColl secured one of thfe men who obstructed the police, and took him to the station. The

next policeman to come along was Constable Dowling, and upon another offender being pointed out to him he promptly arrested him. The . man put up a fight, but the constable stuck to him, and succeeded in putting on the handcuffs. On reaching Veitch and Allen’s croner he was joined by Constable Cox, who was in plain clothes. By this time the crowd became very hostile, and it was alleged they were led by six or eight soldiers. Constable Cox came in for the worst handling. He was kicked after being knocked down, and very roughly used generally, so much so that, although his injuries are not serious, he was unable to report for duty yesterday.. IMPRISONED IN A SHOP The violence ,of the crowd prevented the police making much headway with their prisoner, and after struggling against the mob to the corner of Marion Street, it was found impossible to make further progress owing to the hostility ,of the mob. Acting quickly the prisoner was rushed into a confectioner’s shop, and the doors closed until reinforcements of police arrived.

PLYING BEER AND GLASS Having securely placed their prisoner under lock an dkey, Sergeant Cruicks-hanks and Constable McColl made their way back to Vivian Street and by the time they reached the confectioner’s shop the crowd had become intensely hostile. The windows of the shop had been broken, and a riot was practically in progress. The mounted police were despatched to the scene, and with the help of a detachment from the Taranaki St. Police Station, the street was cleared. When this had been accomplished the prisoner was brought out. This advent renewed the hostility of the mob, who assailed the police by throw ing bottles of beer at them. In the end seven men were arrested, and appeared at the Court the following morning. This disturbance, which commenced shortly before 10 o’clock, continued until twenty minutes to midnight.