HUSTLED BY HOODLUMS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 108, 3 November 1908, Page 3

HUSTLED BY HOODLUMS.

DLL-TREATMENT OF A CANDIDATE. OBJECTIONABLE TACTICS IN i AUCKLAND. [E7 TKIBOBATH.— TBHSQ ASSOCIATION ,J AUCKLAND, 2nd November. Mr. J. W. Taylor, an elderly man, and an M.A., who is a candidate for the City Central seat, received a rough handling to-night at the hands of a large mob, in which the hoodlum element was very prominent. Taylor had given it forth [ that he would speak at St. James's Hall, | but when ne and a crowd of would-be I listeners arrived there, admission was denied ttiem. The candidate thereupon | announced his intention of speaking at a street corner m the neighbourhood, and I started off in that direction. The mob ; then took charge of the proceedings. The luckless Taylor was hustled and jostled about the roadway for half an hour. Every now and then missiles struck him, and he turned and lashed out at his tormentors. They only grew the more persistent After a stormy passage, Taylor reached a, private verandah, and was just starting his speech from there when i the occupier of the house aypeared and

summarily ejected him. He was next hun'^ed up and down the streets again until he gained the Fire Brigade Station, and took refuge in the back yard. The crowd stormed the fence, but were driven back by a promptly-applied hose. After a lull of a quarter of an hour the candi- ' date was ordered off the premises, he ard a few supporters being* hurried on their way by a further application of the hose. The luckless candidate fled down a side street, the mob following. He again tried to epeak, but fireworjss and rotten eggs began to fly. He was chased into Karangahape-road, where he sheltered in a hotel. On attempting to leaves by the back entrance he was again assailed by an unruly mob. By this time Taylor was bleeding from a cut over the eye, and appeared desperately frightened. The' careless crowd, however, gaily escorted and hustled him all tho way to his boardinghouse. They were only dis.persed whon. it was found that the hunted • man had gone to bed. The police inter- - vened once or twice,, but no arrests were made.