BRAWL IN AUCKLAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 January 1939, Page 2

BRAWL IN AUCKLAND

FREE FIGHT IN QUEEN STREET. FOUR MEN TAKEN TO HOSPITAL. (By Telegraph—Press Association ) AUCKLAND, January 15. Seven young men were involved in a» fight which broke out in Upper Queen Street at about 7 o’clock on Saturday night. Though only fists were used, four of the participants were ultimately taken to hospital, two being admitted and two treated in the casualty department before being allowed to go home. One young man was arrested and charged with fighting in a public place, and the whole matter is the subject of investigation by the police. None of those taken to hospital was charged by the police. The men involved in the brawl were in two, parties, one of three and the other of four men, and the disturbance apparently began outside a telephone box in Upper Queen Street, where a member of one of the groups were telephoning. Words were exchanged between two of the yong men and, after a few blows, the remaining five friends joined in. The fight went on for several minutes, numerous passers-by at that time giving the brawlers a wide berth.

A message was sent to the police and as a result two constables from the central station and two from Newton were hastily dispatched. Eight constables finally arrived on the scene, as the brawl was of more serious dimensions than was expected, and the young men were separated, much the worse for their bout with bare fists. The four whose plight were worst were sent to hospital in an ambulance and two were admitted with concussion. Their condition is not serious, and one was discharged today. The other two were taken to the casualty department for treatment for abrasions, and, though no charge was preferred against them by the police, one attempted unsuccessfully to make his escape, and the other ran off through the Domain, and, though chased, was not discovered.