NO-LICENSE AT ASHBURTON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 23 October 1911, Page 4

NO-LICENSE AT ASHBURTON.

HOSTIL'E DEMONSTRATIONS. - . DISTURBANCES AT DISORDER ON SATURDAY NIGHT. (United Press Association.? ' A3HBURTON, Sunday. /, On the past four Saturday bights No-Lioeirise advocates jbav-a adldx-'ess-sdi open air meetings frbm. tie railway reserve abutting' 'on the main street, r and right in the dent-re of the town. They have throughout been received in anything but a cordial ( mianxier, and have twice been subjected to very objectiona.ble remarks. A week ago sneakers were practically howled down, but this was mild to what happened last night, when "between four and five hundred' people assembled, many for the purposie of seeing the fun. The first speaker had a moderate hearing, though the younger section of the crowd to- some' -extent succeeded in drowning his . voice bysing-

ing "We'll Roll the old Chariot Away," etc. When he en'ieluded, he seemingly stepped back too fir, 'arid fell from the waggon which was used; as a platform'. ■*A/clergyman was no.w speaking, but he hadi not gone far when ' a syrajpathiser who was with him in the waggon hold-" ing a torch, was pulled from behind, rin<J .sustained a nasty fall. He turned and closed with his assailant, and the crowd excitedly sui'ged after'them. The assailant escaped and reached a place, of .safety, but the crowd, who were mostly antagonistic, were now excited, and catching: sight of the first speaker a few yards up' the street, made for him and threw 1 him oyer the court house fence. He escaped and the crowd- be gan to quieten, due to the 1 presence of several policemen, two of whom had earlier beenicompjell&dtoarest a drunken man who was making obnoxious rem toko, near tlie wtaggon. The meeting had meantime cloeedi in cpocd: humoured disorder. Even the assaults and chases were good humoured. The No-License leaders accept the incident in the best spirit, a.nd have not yet-, decided whether to prosecute the assailants, the names of some of whom; are' known to the speakers. The Rev. T. R. B. WooDoxall says lie lias been threatened with violence by several people whose names will be given- to the police, but this and last- night's scene will not deter the NoLicense party from- continuing the meetings. He also expressed the opinion that the' opponents of No-License had "ori-med" a- nuaniber of. men who made themselves obnoxious. ' Though the meetings do not commence till 8.45 p.m. so as hot to inter-

fere with general business, the fruiterers, confectioners, refreshment room keepers, hairdressers, and tobacconists who remain open, and do a good business till ten and after, complain that their, takings are much affected, a s the shoira are immediately deserted 1 in favour of the "fun."

The "Guardian" in depkirin.qr the outbreaks. call? for greatei" orderliness, and a- larger measure of British fair play.