DISGRACEFUL SCENE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 80, 2 April 1908, Page 6

DISGRACEFUL SCENE.

TWO GIRLS MOBBED IN SYDNEY PARK. A disgraceful outbreak of hooclluinisru occurred in Hyde Park, Sydney, recently, and in consequence of the inadequate police protection it was o;»ly with tlie greatest difficulty that the officers on duty were able to put it down. When the band is playing, that section of the park in the vicinity of the bandstand is usually crowded with several thousands of people, but previously there had not been a demonstration of any sort. Everything went along quietly until about 5.45, when two young women, rather gaudily attired, attracted the attention of the assemblage. With bright pearl buttons round their hat bauds and on almost every portion of their clothing that they could be placed they made their way along one of the footpaths, and at first were subjected only to the jibes of the people. But the rowdy element was present, and immediately some of the more noisy ones noticed them a cry was set up. At the outset the girls seemed to enjoy the attention they were attracting, but in a few seconds they were surrounded by a huge crowd, through which they made a passage with difficulty. They were subjected to almost every description of indignity imaginable, and attempts at indecency were frequent. The young women, however, escaped to another of the pathways, but they were followed by a surging mass of humanity, some anxious to secure a glance at the two girls, others anxious to indulge in horseplay. The paix were surrounded by the crowd, and once again they were made the subjects of minor acts of violence. At this stage the police took a hand in the proceedings, and attempted to clear the crowd. But they met with considerable difficulty, and it was some few seconds before they made a passage through the people and got to the rescue of the girls. The officers then dispersed the crowd, and conducted the girls out of danger.