A CONSTABLE SEVERELY AS- SAULTED.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 75, 31 March 1902, Page 4

A CONSTABLE SEVERELY ASSAULTED.

TWO ARRESTS 2.IADE.

One of those disgraceful affairs :: which occur from time to time in * which a crowd look on when a constable is requiring assistance, occurred on Saturday night in Victoria, street. A man named John Duffy was arrested by Constable Irwin on the charge of having used obscene language. The prisoner is stated to have resisted violently, and, as usual ■ a crowd gathered. It was soon manilest that Duffy had sympathisers ' amongst those present, for several men attempted to prevent his arrest and even took away the constable's baton and handcuffs, while he was / securing Duffy. Irwin stuck to his man gamely, and succeeded in throwing- him, although Duffy is one 'of those squarely-built, powerful men that are difficult to handle. In all the crowd only one man had the courage to his duty as a citizen, and assist ihe representative of law ancl\ order." A volunteer named Lawry went to the assistance of the constable and laid about him with a heavy buckle-belt he had been wearing. Meanwhile some one had hurried awJiy for assistance, and, secur- - ing Constable Hodge-, told him of the affair. Constable Hodge, promptly went to the assistance of his comrade, and arrested a young man who was pointed..out by Irwin. Duffy then said he would go quietly to the station,- and was placed in a hansom cab at the D.S.C. corner. Mr. Lawf / also assisted Constable Hodge to place this prisoner in a cab, and then both vehicles drove off towards- the police cells, while the crowd hooted vigorously.' Unfortunately, this was not the end of the trouble, for. as the cabs were passing the Municipal Buildings Constable Hodge, who was .in the last one, heard shrieks ' from' the one in which Duffy and . Constable Irwin were being driven.

The driver whipped up his horses: and reached the station, when Irwin jumped out, and, running into the: watch-house, fell on the floor, calling out, " I'm done." Constable Hodge, brought in Duffy, and Mr. Lawry looked after the "other prisoner. '

A doctor was at once sent for,-arid as /Constable Irwin was bleeding and unconscious, he was sent to the Hos« pital. Inspector Cullen visited Irwin yesterday, and found him suffering great pain, but otherwise, progressing satisfactorily. He stated that Duffy again became violent in the cab, attacked, and ultimately, overpowered him, beating him about' ■•; the face and finally forced "his head through the glass window and kicking him in the abdomen. It will be remembered that Irwin's handeuffo i and his baton were stolen by some of the crowd, and on them rests the,A grave responsibility of the second 'I attack on the constable. The baton has since been recovered by 1: ths<fi» ;: lice. Irwin deserves great credit for tha; way in which he silicic to his prisoner, more especially as he is only . a young1 constable w;ho joined thfr force upon his return from South Africa, where he served with the Second Contingent- • His people beldnjf - to Hawera. At present the fullest^ tent- .of . Irwin's injuries are nbtf known, as he is one mass of poulticeaj ; all down his side.