DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE POLICE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10503, 11 July 1910, Page 1

DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE POLICE.

AN UNPOPULAR CONSTABLE. (Per Press Association.) Dunedin, July 10. One of the most disgraceful scenes witnessed hero for a long time took place last evening about 9.45. The police had occasion to make an arrest, and for fullv an 'hour alter that had their hands full in coping witii a mob of disorderly people, some hundreds strong, who took almost complete charge of affairs for the time being. At the time mentioned above, Sergeant Ecclcs and Constable Sweeney arrested a man named John Wilson on a charge of disordcrlv conduct while drunk. As they were taking linn down to a cab Wilson's In-other appeared oil the, scene, and it is asserted assaulted him on the back of the head and cheek. Tins man was immediately arrested by Sergeant Eccles. A crowd quickly gathered, and it was with the utmost difficulty that the police got their prisoriers to the station. The road and footpaths were cfowded with a violent demonstration against the' officers of the law. After milch difficulty the two Wilsons were got into a cab. then when tlio driver was ready to -start it was found that the liame had been undone, but in the course of time the poliee safely lodged both men in the cells.

About half an hour later it was found necessaiv to make another litest, and on this occasion the disgraceful scene was repeated. Several stones wore'thrown during the disturbance, and 'one of the cab windows was smashed. • John Wilson will be charged with driinkciiness, obscene language and resisting the police; David "Wilson wiu'.i assaulting, obsti noting and icsisting the police a-nd with using obscene language. . . , As a result of the demonstration, two .other "rfien ■ named Walter Spence and diaries 'Graham were, also ■arrested, the former on a chaige.of being diunk and- disorderly and inciting the ciend to assault Constable Sweenej, and the latter with obstructing the police and assaulting Constable Fox. ■ •fhe trouble-is believed to be due the unpopularity of one of the constables. • • ; % ', • a- .., After the arrests , had -.been effected : another- constable .was taken ior .the one against whom there is much lccliti'T' arid as 'he went .up the street a crowd of fully 200. followed him up ■ HiHi street, through the Arcade, and : Maclaggau and Rattiay streets.