Big Brawl In Wellington

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32117, 13 October 1969, Page 1

Big Brawl In Wellington

(New Zealand Press' Association) WELLINGTON, October 12.

Bottles smashed round police as they attempted to depart with prisoners from a huge mob of brawling youths in Glenmore Street, Wellington, last night.

reporteu to nave door involved in the incident. Two van loads of prisoners were taken from the scene. Six persons will appear in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court tomorrow on charges relating to the incident I Patrol ears went to the scene, a party in an old house in Glenmore Street, just before 11 p.m. Witnesses said tonight that youths were brawling in the street at the time, but the cause of the trouble was not known.

As the police tried to contain the fighting, people including a number of leatherjacketed youths, spilled from the house on to the roadway. They lined verandas of the house and the footpaths and began abusing the police. About 29 policemen supported by a shore patrol from

London, attempted to eontroi the disorderly behaviour and use of obscene language. At one point, a witness said, the police tried to enter the house but were forced baek on the footpath. Eventually the police brought a large prison van and were reported to have filled it to capacity. Prisoners were also put in a smaller patrol van. As the police began to leave, glass and bottles hurtled down on to the roadway. Cars Damaged A police spokesman said tonight that he did not think any policemen were injured but several parked cars were damaged. A traffic officer guided cars around the broken glass as more bottles were thrown from the house and road. The police left the scene after about half an hour.