LAWLESS FITZROY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16700, 8 December 1919, Page 5

LAWLESS FITZROY.

* PUSHITES' " BATTLE IN MELBOURNE. (rROU OUR OWN COHUEi-rONDESt.) 55YI>NEY, November 27. There is a ccrtaiu district of Melbourne city, comprising North Fitzrov. which is known thereabouts :i> "No Man's Land." It has earned its uncuviublo titlo because of the large numbers of erratic bullots which whistlo about that locality. It is in tliat region that tho principal participants in tho vendetta which has mado Melbourne uuderworld notorious recently hnve> their headquarters. These amiablo ladies and gentlemen, against •whom tho polii-.n are powerless —because, ;ilthough the bitterest foes, they unite in all things to defeat the police—shoot each other at sight. A wild flurry of revolver shots, a scampering of cunning feet along back lanes, an excited charge by tbo police, a midnight_gathering cf agitated, half-dressed residents — ihcso siro common incidents in the night life of Fitzrov. But Fit/.roy is now developing minor excitements in tho form ol "push"' •>i tiles. Alvcut half-past eight last <y.'. turd ay night there was a tremendous ;:i>niar in Nicholson street. Membeis c,( the "Daks" push went into a shop to , p u take of fish and chips. Thcv were j deep in their supper when members of the -'Empress" push, also seeking fish and chips, came piling in on top of them. It is a point of honour that tiicy fight whenever they meet —so tliev fuught. They wont into battle with staves, stones, and empty bottles, and they had no regard for furniture or crockery. A distracted son of ancient Grecce, who owns tho place, rushed up the street screeching for tho police. The fight raged in <tlie shop and tho street, and only ceased when a parlv of police arrived and arrested tho fivo most active warriors—whose avorago age, by tho way, was 21. These young gentlemen were dumped by the police into one cell and left there. In about three minutes a frightful din commenced. "Within tho cell was found n regular "dog fight"—three "Empresses" v.ero endeavouring to destroy the life and beauty of two "Oaks." They wero parted by force and put away in separate cells, to await trial on charges of offensive behaviour.