Bikies mar quiet New Year in Chch

Press, 2 January 1979, Page 1

Bikies mar quiet New Year in Chch

The stabbing of a Cashmere man and a highspeed motor-cycle chase were the only incidents to mar an otherwise peaceful New Year’s week-end in Christchurch.

The stabbing is believed to have occurred during a fight at the headquarters of the Epitaph Riders motor-cycle gang, in Lincoln Road, about 3.30 a.m. on Sunday, after an argument about money. Mr Rhys Taylor, aged 31, of Centaurus Road, who is seriously ill in Christchurch Hospital, was stabbed with an upward thrust in the lower abdomen. He underwent surgery on Sunday. No weapon has yet been found, although it is believed to have been a knife. The blade went “quite deep,” according to a police spokesman.

Another man was injured in the fight which accompanied the stabbing, but no weapon was responsible for his injuries.

No arrests had been made late last evening, but “extensive” inquiries were under way. the police spokesman said.

Violence also marred New Year’s celebrations at Tauranga and Auckland, but generally 1979 was usher e d in quietly throughout New Zealand. The chase through central Christchurch occurred about 3.30 p.m. yesterday at speeds to 120km/h. It began when a traffic officer noticed a group of about 38 bikies allegedly breaking several traffic laws as they rode along Ferry Road.

He chased the bikies, members of the Highway 61 gang from Wellington, but they failed to stop and he radioed for support.

Police and Ministry of Transport cars joined in and finally forced the gang to stop at the corner of Colombo Street and Armagh Street, several kilometres from where the chase began. According to a Ministry of Transport spokesman, traffic officers had tried to slow the convoy by driving in front of it, but many of the bikies had not allowed the patrol cars to pass.

Six persons had been charged last evening with offences including dangerous driving, riding without a helmet, exceeding the speed limit, and exceeding the bloodalcohol limit. Additional charges are pending.

Various bikie groups from other parts of New Zealand converged on Christchurch during the

week-end. but all except one had left by last evening the police said The revelry in Cathedral Square on New Year s Eve was very subdued compared with previous years. About 1500 people had gathered by midnight but they were orderly, and confined their high spirits to shouting and singing. The Square was closed to traffic, as usual, and a police cordon was set up to prevent revellers taking liquor in. However, no bottles were confiscated, and no arrests were made, according to the police. By contrast, bottles flew, windows were smashed, and people fought as a mob of 500 gave 1979 a violent welcome at Mount Maunganui.

The trouble started about 1.15 a m. when a lit-ter-basket was set alight. A fire engine attending the fire was hit by bottles and the firemen harassed The police arrived and their cars were also bombarded with bottles; reinforcements were brought in from Whakatane and Rotorua. Nine persons were arrested and charged with offences ranging from disorderly behaviour to obstructing policemen.

New Year’s Eve at Nelson passed almost without incident. Two persons were arrested after they were found to be carrying liquor in a prohibited area, which had earlier been barricaded. In South Canterbury celebrations generally were quiet and orderly

A crowd of about 10.000 gathered around the bonfire at Caroline Bay but. few problems arose. Eight arrests were made on charges ranging from assault to obscene language. A brawl occured near the Bay about 3 a.m. and a youth was later arrested for unlawfully possessing a firearm. Fairlie had one of its rowdiest New Years for some time.

The main street was littered with broken glass, and the township’s constable said that he was disgusted with the loutish behaviour of the record crowd of about 3000 revellers.

Three loud explosions rocked the town early in the morning, but no damage was reported. In Queenstown, in contrast to previous years, the crowd of about 400 gathered in the Mall was happy and relaxed. The police reported five arrests for minor incidents.