THE HOOLIGANS' PROGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 16, 19 January 1901, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE HOOLIGANS' PROGRESS.

HOW HE AROSE, WHERE HE LIVES, AND TO WHAT HE IS TENDING.

London has been very much troubled of late by a class of dangerous larrikins nicknamed the Hooligan. An excellent story of the growth of this undesirable was recently given in the "Daily Express":—

As the nights grow longer and the season of fogs sets In, certain districts of London are periodically given over to the reign of organised ruffianism, known as Hooliganism. Day ufter dhy the papers contain accounts of brutal outrages, which frequently terminate fatally, robberies, and fierce faction fights between rival gangs of roughs, and it is no exaggeration to state that in various localities the respectable inhabitant's are absolutely terrorised by these lawless and dangerous associations.

The districts in London which are thus periodically subjected to the reign of the rough are that part of South Lambeth which is bounded by Blackfriars Bridge Road, Kennington Road, Westminster Bridge Road, and the Thames; the Borough, Bethnal Green, parts of Hoxton, and that unsavoury district of aristocratic Kensington known as Notting Dale. In a lesser degree the neighbourhoods of King's Cross and the Euston Road are also dominated by these organisations of criminals.

The manner in which these gangs became known as Hooligans is worth noting. Some few years ago two powerful combinations of criminals existed in the Waterloo Bridge Road, who subsisted as racecourse thieves in the racing season, and by levying blackmail. CATCHING A TARTAR. The robbery of pedestrians by night was their pastime, and growing reckless by thejr long immunity from punishment, five members of the older gang, which was led by a young rough of criminal ancestry, called Darcy—who was, a few years ago, sentenced to death for stabbing a man in Oakley-street, and afterwards respited on tho ground of his youth—actually attempted to rob frank Slavin, the famous pugilist, late one night as he was standing at a coffee-stall close to Waterloo Bridge. On this •occasion, however, although they tried to "out" him with their loaded belts, Slavin was more than their match, and four out of the five received terrible punishment from the stalwart prizefighter. The second gang was organised by a notorious ruffian named Hooley, and intense rivalry existed between his followers and Darcy and his gang. Fights between the rival gangs were of frequent occurrence, and most brutal and apparently unprovoked assaults upon individual members were frequently committed. Even women, who were known as the "pals" of criminals in these organisations, were not spared by their opponents, and several of those seemingly purposeless assaults on women late a*t night, which characterised the locality of Stamford-street, were due to the rivalry that existed between these gangs. HOOLEY'S GANG.

One day four roughs who were enlisted in Hooley's gang surprised a Darcylte by himself, and nearly killed him with their loaded belts. The police arrived on the scene, and, fortunately, cuptured them; but when they were charged with assauK their victim declared that he had no Idea why they attacked him. The magistrate, in surprise, asked the constable if he had any idea why this apparently unprovoked and purposeless assault was committed. "To be sure," answered the constable, who was an Irishman, "the prisoners are all Hooley's gang!" "Hooligans!" echoed the magistrate, misunderstanding1 the policeman. "What are they?"

"Bands of blackguards who rob and murder people," replied the policeman.

The magistrate asked no more questions ,and sentenced the prisoners to three months. The reporters fell into the same error as HI." Worship, and "Hooligan," Instead of "Hooley's gang," appeared in the papers, and ever since then the ruffians who abound in the streets have been known as "Hooligans" by the Press and public.

There can be no doubt that these criminal associations owe their origin to racecourse thieves, who long ago. found It necessary to unite in order to further their nefarious calling, and who, In the slack season, turn their attention to the streets.

Bands of racecourse thieves have long been tin established institution at race meetings, and bookmakers, to avoid being molested and robbed by them, find it necessary to pay them blackmail from time to time.

A bookmaker who neglects to do this is promptly "ramped," and should circumstances not tie favourable to this proceeding, members of the gang, or. as they style themselves, "mob," stand about, and by hustling the public prevent bets being made; JB

As an Instance of the audacity that characterises the proceedings of these ruffians, a bookmaker not long- ago, who refused to pay blackmail, was followed and held up by a "mob" which hailed from Notting Dale, under the presidency of a notorious criminal known as "Ginger," while driving a trap close to Richmond, and compelled to part with £5 in order to avoid violence! Another bookmaker who keeps a stationer's shop in the vicinity of Stamfordstreet was visited by a similar gang, and compelled to hand over all the money in his possession. INTIMIDATION OF WITNESSES. It is scarcely credible, but It is absolutely true, that these men dared not complain to the police, for if any of the gang were arrested and punished the bookmakers feared, with good cause, that they would be "outed" by the survivors.

One of the principal reasons why these criminals organise is for the purpose oi£ intimidating witnesses.

The trial of the boy Darcy, it will be remembered, resulted in this system being exposed, but no benefit has followed, and In the districts of London given over to Hooliganism very few people dare to either prosecute or give evidence against known Hooligans.

It should be understood that the members of these gangs are perfectly well known to the police, and that they enjoy comparative immunity owing to the difficulty of finding people sufficiently courageous to prosecute or give evidence against them.

Encouraged by the example of the'.r elders in crime, the latest feature of Hooliganism is the formation of gangs of criminally-disposed lads in their teens, who commit depredations largely from wantonness, and, inspired by penny dreadfuls, give their organisations' melodramatic rules and titles.

Unchecked save by occasional short terms of imprisonment, which only have the effect of rendering them heroes in the eyes of their companions, these lads will very soon become dangerous and hardened criminals, and will recruit the older and more formidable gangs, -whose existence Is a menace to the community.

To suppress them under existing conditions it may be frankly admitted Is a very difficult task. Imprisonment and flogging simply add to their renown among their associates, and harden them In their brutality.

The problem is In fact one difficult of solution. ,'.