VICIOUS ATTACKS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11828, 9 January 1933, Page 5

VICIOUS ATTACKS

SEQUEL TO FREEZERS’ DISPUTE.

ASSAULTS ON FREE LABORERS.

ONE VICTIM BEATEN ALMOST

UNCONSCIOUS

BOMBSHELLS OF STONES

POLICE ENLIST CIVILIANS AS

SPECIALS

(Press Association.;

NEW PLYMOUTH, Jan. 8. The most serious disturbance at Waitara since tlie freezing works’ dispute began three’ months, ago, occurred oh Saturday night, three attacks being made on free laborers, one of whom was beaten almost unconscious. The trouble continued tor sonic hours and a posse of police wa» summoned from New Plymouth. A fusilade of stones smashed the windows in the houses of two free laborers, narrowly missing the occupants. The buukhouso at the works ill which were eight free laborers, was surrounded by a crowd of about 150, including some women, from midnight till 2 a.m. Two motor-cycles wei'u put out of action, and the bunkhouse was subjected to a bombardment of stones. When they sow trouble brewing, the two constables enlisted two citizens a-s special constables. Feeling, which had been tense early in the evening came to a head at 10 o'clock.

The trouble commenced owing to tbe presence of two former free laborers. A constable escorted one away but the otlipr went down the street, and was surrounded by a number of iuen. He was seriously handled, and felt semi-conscious, but escaped and went to a doctor, where it was found' that his knee-cap was dislocated.

Two other workers were attacked separately about the same time. One, Edgar Tate, suffered injuries to the face including a broken nose. After a Saturday night dance the frontage on Borthwick’s property was subjected to a barrage of road metal.

One free laborer on the other side of the river had the windows of his house broken. He says lie jumped out of bed, seized a shotgun and lire;? after the figures, retreating down the road, but “1 am afraid that I missed.” he added.. He cut his bare feet on the glass from the broken, windows After the arrival of the police from Now Plymouth the position amended and was normal by -1 a.m. One man was taken into custody for Lis own safe tv.