FIERCE FIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23222, 16 December 1938, Page 10

FIERCE FIGHT

STREET ENCOUNTER FIREMEN AND WATERSIDERS POLICE QUELL DISTURBANCE [by telegraph—OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Thursday A fight in Grev Street shortly before two o'clock this afternoon between five or six men, some firemen from one of the steamers in port and other waterside workers, attracted a huge crowd of people, which practically blocked the street for traffic. The men, who had come out of a hotel, wasted no time in getting under way and severe punishment was meted out to all participants. Tho crowd looked on until the arrival of Constable Guild. The numbers proved too many for him, however, and he found he was only able to hold one man down, the others continuing to fight among themselves. Reinforcements were sent for and 15 constables and a detective arrived about a quarter of an hour or 20 minutes later. Late arrivals in the crowd increased tho pressure in the centre and tho police had difficulty in getting tho arrested men to waiting police cars. Traffic inspectors arrived on the scene and took charge of handling the traffic and the polico quickly had the crowd on tho move. A little later excitement was added by tho escape of one man, who -dodged round .a corner, but ho was soon recaptured. Most of the combatants bore somo marks of the conflict.