A LIVELY SCENE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9836, 20 September 1897, Page 6

A LIVELY SCENE.

OFFENDED AU3TUIANS. (press association tkleguum.) AUCKLAND, September 13. This morning a lively scene between Auslrians took place in Vistoria and Queen streets. It appears that on Wednesday night AI. A. Ferri, an Austrian, who has been endeavouring to form a social society for Austrians in Auckland, and otherwise further their interests, gave a lecture on Austria and the Auatrians. Some seven Auslrians took exception to some statements made therein. Tina morning upon Ferri coming out of the City Hotel, where he is boarding, he was surrounded by the seven Auscriaus, and one of the number asked him if ho put a certain report about the Austrians in the Star. Ferri says he took no notice, but proceeded down Victoria street. Meanwhile the men in an excited state followed him, and at intervals threw a liberal supply of flour over his apparel and also peypored him with eggs until he bore a ludicrous appearance, toveutually Ferri was escorted away by the police. He subsequently laid an information for assault against the offenders. In the address in qu«stiou, Ferri said thai the left females at home to do farm work. Some of their young men had married, and after living with their wives about a month came to Jtfew Zealand, and after seven yeais on the gumfiolds returned to Austria and remained for six months, aud then, returned again to JSTcw Zealand. This, he said, could not ba a very happy uuion, for where the wife is there should the husband be. This is understood to have caused the assault.