Constable Bitten On Both Ears

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30592, 7 November 1964, Page 3

Constable Bitten On Both Ears

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 6. Three persons were arrested in One Tree Hill Domain about 9.15 last night after a brawl between youths and a police car crew.

The police were investigating complaints that sheep were being worried by hooligans throwing fireworks

among them. Other police cars sped to the scene when they learned of the disturbance. Constable W. F. Strong, of Onehunga, suffered having an expensive gold tooth knocked out, bites (one severe) on both his ears and his tunic was ripped. A window of his patrol car was kicked out. One complaint to the police said hooligans were deliberately trying to throw flaming

crackers and sparklers on to the fleeces of the milling sheep. A stream of traffic passing through the domain created other problems. A crowd of about 150 made no effort to help the struggling police, but one observer said today this was partly because the flow of traffic kept them apart from the scene of the disturbance. Senior Traffic Officer B. W. Griffiths, of One Tree Hill, who helped to restrain one of

those arrested, said he could not help as much as he would have liked because of his own problems with the piled-up traffic.

He praised the “remarkable, really amazing restraint” shown by the police. Lost Eye

In another Guy Fawkes night incident, Tama Hiku, aged 15, of 20 Gifford road, Papatoetoe, was admitted to Auckland Hospital with injuries to an eye when he was hit by a skyrocket. He

has lost the eye. His condition today was satisfactory. A Press Association report from Napier says because of disorderly behaviour by young persons, the Napier City Council may ban the traditional Guy Fawkes bonfires on the city’s Marine Parade. The Mayor of Napier (Mr P. Tait) said today it was “extremely fortunate” that no fatality or serious accident was reported at last evening’s festivities. “While we do not wish to discourage this night for the children, it has unfortunately developed into displays of disorderly and at times disgraceful conduct from a section of young persons,” said Mr Tait.