CHEAP JACK METHODS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 150, 12 November 1912, Page 3

CHEAP JACK METHODS.

EXCITING INCIDENT AT A SHOW. BAYONET DRAWN. A YOUTH PUMMELLED BY AN ANGRY CROWD. Auckland, November 10. i An incident of a sensational nature occurred at the Clevedon show on Saturday. A stylish motor-car containing three passengers and numerous travelling bags drove on to the ground. The chauffeur turned his car with its back to the crowd, and then there commenced one of those "cheap jack" spectacles so often seen on a show ground. Informing the crowd that they had come to make some presentations, they commenced to scatter about jewellery, etc., and the fun was fast and furious. Then arrived the usual moment when the "cheap jack" flourished a number of watches and gold-like chains, with a query as to how many of his auditors would give him £1 each for the articles. Some of them did, but they had not been given sufficient time to thoroughly examine their purchases when the "auctioneer in chief" said he would take a short respite for t'he purpose of getting - refreshments. As he left the car his place was taken by a third member of " the party, one of much younger appearance, with a fresh ; sounding English accent, and costumed iu a dapper suit of grey. Then commenced one of the most starLling events witnessed on a show ground in these parts. Without the crowd fritting any warning, and as the crowd were beginning to clamor- for their money back, the ear started off across the paddock towards the exits. Cries of "They're bolting!' "Stop them!" "Shut the gate!" immediately startled the crowd, and there was a general rush from ;il! ilir'i-tions towards one large swing gate. This was closed just in time to ston the car, and in an instant th# youngest member of the party—the man in brown was nowhere to be seen jnmped out of the car, and, unsheathing a ?i;ivo'm t. flourished it overhead, and with an exciting cry, which was tinderstood by a reporter standing in the centre of the howling crowd, to be something like this: \ "That gate's shut. The first one that stops me from opening it I'll run through ! 12 with this!" (wildly waving the glitterd ing steel). & i Quite unable to restrain themselves, 1 the mali members of the crowd closed C upon him, and in a trice had divested 0 the struggling youth of his ugly weapon, h At the same time he was set upon in an ,e angry fashion, and pummelled in a severe ;7 mariner. Cringing at the feet of his atI, taekers, lie pleaded for mercy, crying, i, "I am only a poor youth. I have done j] nothing. Let me go. I am one against ;e hundreds. I have not any money. I tO was only working for them." [. Meanwhile an elderly man in grey was ,r seated in the stationary car, and a seec tion of the crowd set up a howl around , e the motor. Some of them cried, "Out >g with him! He's the one that has it, and demands of a similar nature. The man's somewhat nervous reply was to r the effect that he also was only a paid ' servant, getting £3 per week from am J? auctioneering firm, and that he had been gent out to assist the man in charge (who had already left). The committee decided to remove the officials from the gate, and so clear themselves of any responsibility. A few moments later,"with sudden dash, the car went through the gateway, the big man itt green giving a signal to the youthful

member of the parly to get into the car, This was tried, lint the: yoiin;» fellow was pulled back violently, sinking back .with the cry of "Don't leave inc." He returned to tIK- t'h;;rge of the nob, while the ear initial oil' ni t;,p speed. Coinplainir,!.' of injuries to his knee and head, the young vnun was led to the back of the Wairoa butter factory, followed by the crowd. An Auckland so ; licitor advised the manager (Mr. J. McKnight, J.P.) that the crowd were committing an illegal action in'placing'the man in the shed on private property. , tMr. McKnight then ordered the crowd hack, and they slowly returned to the show ground. Ten minutes later the youth left the shed and set off across country towards Papakura. While he was yet in sight, Trooper Waugh, in plain clothes, arrived in a motor-car, and skirted to investigate matters, but found that the individuals wanted had llown. In the ahed the youth gave his name to Mr. Munro as Joe Albion.