RIVAL GANGS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 110, 9 April 1926, Page 10

RIVAL GANGS

A PONSONBY FEUD

A “GANGSTER” BEFORE THE

COURT

AUCKLAND, April 7

During the last couple of years certain types of youths have appeared at the Polico Court, who have been described by the police as “members of a gang up Ponsonby way,” or as “hoodlums who are members of a push.” On more than one occasion when they have been before him, Mr •J. W. Povnton has stated that if such “pushes” were not kept under control that wo would have in Auckland regular gangs of young fellows similar to the notorious pushes who are so active in Sydney and Melbourne, and who fight with each other, using all sorts of implements of violence. Despite the fact that the police have been particularly active in breaking up the hoodlum element in the Queen City, it would seem, from a case heard in the Police Court this morning, that the magistrate’s forecast, unfortunately perhaps, has been an accurate one in one respect. Frederick Jackson, for whom Mr Gatenby appeared, was charged with disorderly behaviour in Po isonby road on December 13 last. He pleaded not guilty. , ~ , Horace Alfred Sadler stated that while riding his cycle along Ponsonby road on the night in question he was stopped by several other youths. Jackson caught hold of the rear wheel of liis cycle and witness had to get olf. .Ho then received a blow, but could not say who it was that struck him. , T , Mr Gatenby: You know Jackson, don’t you?—Yes. And if you had seen him you would have got off and spoken to him? —\es. Senior-Sergeant Edwards: This case has been brought in order to break up a couple of gangs. I would like Your Worship to hear tho statement made by Jackson. Constable Hodgens then produced tho statement made by Jackson. Jackson stated that ho was 18 years of age. On December 13, at about t p.m., ho met about 20 other youths by arrangement at the gates of the Western Park, Ponsonby. They all gathered as one body to light anothei gang known as tho Richmond gkng. The trouble started over another boy being assaulted. A challenge was sent by tlio Richmond gang to the city gang stating that they would, meet them on the Sunday night at Western Park at 7 o’clock and light it out. “The other boys, including myself, approached the Richmond gang as they entered the park,” said Jackson. After some talking the Richmond gang ran away, all the city gang, including himself, going up to the \\ est End Theatre in Ponsonby road looking for Richmond. 'While near the theatre, Sadler rode along on ins cycle, and, as he was one of the Richmond gang, Jaekson said that he and another youth rushed out and stopped him, as they wanted to know where the other members were hiding. J ackson caught hold of the rear wheel of Sadler’s cycle and held it. Sadler jumped off the machine and ran away. jN’o one struck him. About an hour afterwards practically the whole of tho city gang met in Hobson street atabout 9 p.m. They then dispersed and went to their homes. Jackson stated that he was not with the portion of the city push who were in Great North road that night. At this stage Mr Hunt stated that he would adjourn the case for a month. “We will just see how these gangs get on,” added the magistiatc.