FIGHT AT DANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 115, 16 May 1936, Page 6

FIGHT AT DANCE

SUPPER-ROOM BESIEGED

FOOD AND CROCKERY

THROWN

Cakes and sandwichesV crockery,', and even trays were used as missiles'in a free fight which raged about the supper-room of the Waitoa Hall' :duiing a dance on Wednesday night, when a number of those who had not been able to ; gain admission to the early supper sitting attempted to oust -those who had been more fortunate, states the* Te Aroha correspondent of th& "NewVz'ealand Herald." The'latter, however, put up a stubborn defence, and only the arrival of the police—for the second time during.the evening—stilled "the screaming of excited .women, the crash of breaking china, and the general uproar of the combat. ,■..'■■ -i.- ~-.■,.'■■ Trouble commenced early in the evening, and at: 9.45 .p.m. Constable Hintoh, of Te Aroha, was' called to the hall and arrested;a man for drunkenness. .. ' ''.."■'■' "'■'■"'' ■"•"■■'■;■■'-"';" • Owing to serious overcrowding large numbers of patrons were unable",to dance, and .both inside.' .and" outside groups of varying sizes-filled in .their time by criticising the- management;;" With the advent 'Of * the "police the first '■ time; things" became quieter' for; a space, but troubld'broke out "again, at supper time. The numbers' present necessitated several sittings, and waxing -iriipatierit and that those at the early sittings were consuming all the': food,- a iariej^roup launched- a general attack on the sup-per-room and attempted to oust -the . early sitting: A determined resistance, however, was put up- by tliose in' possession, and a free fight in,which, fbpastuffs,' trays, and crockery were used as missiles resulted.. '' '. ' /..'.■ . The police were again hastily summoned, and on arrival found a scene of the wildest confusion. Order -was restored, and' the dance was closed down, by the police," while the''crowd hooted., ".•■■' ""'.,"•■.,..'.' . : ..:'?fi" ■ The police-stated on Thursday -morning- that inquiries were-being made-tb ascertain the source of the large quantities -of liquor that were in evidence at the hall. The bad managemeint was said to be due, no doubt, .to the fact that Wednesday night's:,affair was staged by some youths, solely as' a money-inaking venture^ . ■ '