STREET BRAWL AT AUCKLAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 16 January 1939, Page 8

STREET BRAWL AT AUCKLAND

SEVEN MEN INVOLVED FOUR TREATED AT HOSPITAL ' I L mted Press Association 1 AUCKLAND, 15th January. Seven young men were involved in a fight which broke out in Upper Queen street, at about 7 o’clock on Saturday night. Although only fists were used, four of the participants were ultimately taken to hospital, two being admitted and two treated in the casualty department before being allowed to go home. One young man whs arrested and charged with fighting in a public place and the whole matter is at present the subject of investigation by the police. , None of those taken to hospital was charged by the police. The men involved in the brawl were in two parties, one of three, and the other of four men. and the disturbance apparently commenced outside a telephone box in Upper Queen street, where a member of one of the groups j was telephoning. * Words were exj changed between two of the young men ; and. after a few' blows, the remaining

five friends joined in. The fight went on for several minutes, the numerous passers-by at that time giving the brawlers a-wide berth. A mesage was sent to the police and as a result two constables from the , central station, and tw’o from New'ton. ! were hastily despatched, i Eight constables finally arrived on I the scene, as a brawl of more serious i dimensions was expected. and the | young men were separated, much the v orse for their bout with bare fists. The four whose plight was the worst j were sent to hospital in an ambulance. 1 ~nd tw'o were admitted with concussion. Their condition is not serious and one was discharged to-day. The other two yere taken to the casualty department for treatment for abrasions and. although no charge was preferred against them by the polic° one attempted unsuccessfully to mak -1 his escape, while the other ran off through the Domain, and although chased was not discovered.