LOVE AND WAR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 24 December 1925, Page 12

LOVE AND WAR.

THE FITZROY VENDETTA. RIVAL PUSHES. MELBOURNE, Dec. 4. Rival claims for the affections of a girl are believed to be at the bottom of the Fitzroy vendetta, which led to the firing of 12 to .14- shots last night. The police have been , told that one of the combatants, known as “Monkey,” was wounded. The pushes involved are “The Wanderers” and “The Checkers.” The ages of members range from 17 to 20 years. It is suspected, however, that the old “Marion Street” mob, which was active two years ago, may have had a hand in the business. The Fitzroy police regard the clash seriously. Residents say that if “Monkey ’ ’ was shot he will uphold the tradition of the mob by remaining' silent, and will regard his wound as one won honorably in battle. People living in the vicinity of Fitzroy, Hanover, and Little Hanover Streets are terrified. They complain . that indiscriminate shooting occurred near their homes on several nights last- week, and that mobs were becoming dangerous. Last night’s battle began in Fitzroy Street. Eight or nine men drove along at a fast pace in a motor truck chasing a mob. Shots were fired by the men on the truck, and the volley was returned by the other group: A shot was fired near the Israelite Church, and four jnore a little later. People rushed from their homes thinking that a man had run amok. The truck turned iuto Nicholson Street. The other mob, still firing, took cover in the Exhibition Gardens The motor truck was last caught sight of iu Victoria Parade. As the truck was passing the night tennis courts at the Exhibition Gardens several more shots were fired in the direction in which the scattering mob had disappeared. Every available constable in Fitzroy was mustered, and the night patrol was also called. The pushes were not found.