"PUSHES" APPEAR AGAIN

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 16, 18 July 1918, Page 9

"PUSHES" APPEAR AGAIN

(FROM OHK OWN CORRESPONDENT.) SYDNEY, 10th JulyThere has been some evidence" recently of tho reappearance, both in Sydney and Melbourne, tof the notorious "pushes" which terrorised various neighbourhoods 15 or 20 years ago. The evil is not likely to grow, for tho polices are showing a praiseworthy determination to nip it in the bud. ■'"■■■■ There have been one or two royal battles, however, between two "pushes" in Marrickville, a Sydney suburb. The adhorents of tho two orga-nisations fight whenever they- meet. Sticks and stones aro generally their primitive weapons, but occasionally firearms are'used. The other day, Richard Finlay Sidney Smith, a chauffeur mechanic, aged 18, was fined £5 for discharging firearms in. the street, and thuß a story of the "pushes" cam© 'but. Smith, it appears, is a member of the "Roibey-street push," and the man whom hci scared with his revolver is Joe Bodkin, a member of the "Camperdown Flat Rats." Smith was, with two other youths, in a street in Marrickville on Sunday afternoon, 30th June, looking for, the "Flat Rats." But the "Rats" appeared in unexpected strength, a.nd the representatives of "Reibey-street" received a sound thrashing, and were routed. Later, they met another "Rat," but the latter produced a revolver, whereupon. Smith also produced a revolver, which, he afterwards allowed, was loaded with soap bullets, and fired two shots, high and wide. He was afterwards arrested. It was stated in Smithes defence that tho "Rats" were a public menace and nuisance, and. had threatened Smith. He therefore carried tho revolver for his own protection. Tho police stated that they wore endeavouring to break up the "pushes," and several youths had been prosecuted. The "pushes" met in numbers varying from 50 to 200 every Sunday in Enmoro Park, where they promoted fights, arranged battles, threatened passing people, and mad© themeelves a general nuisance. r ,