MOB HELD AT BAY

Southland Times, Issue 20770, 10 May 1929, Page 7

MOB HELD AT BAY

STRIKE INCIDENT LORRY DRIVER WITH IRON BAR POLICE HURRY TO SCENE (United Tress Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, May 9. When a timber-laden lorry broke down in the city this morning a large crowd gathered. Armed with an iron bar the driver kept the mob at bay while a mechanic attempted to repair the damage. One of the onlookers, who appeared to appeal to the mechanic to leave ’his job, was arrested by a constable who was riding on the vehicle. The man struggled fiercely, but police reinforcements arrived and the man was taken away in the police car. The lorry eventually drove away, the police guarding it. Early this morning a man entered, the premises of Empire Timber, Limited, Balmain, and from the circumstances it is inferred by the Timber Merchants’ Association that he intended to set fire to the place. The watchman fired a shot and the man dived into the harbour and swam away, the yards being situated at the water’s edge.—Australian Press Association. FINES IMPOSED. (Rcc. 9.40 p.m.) Sydney, May 9. The man arrested to-day when the timber lorry broke down was fined £5 for resisting the police and £3 for indecent language.—Australian Press Association. FIVE STRIKERS IMPRISONED. COMMENT BY MAGISTRATE. (Rec. 8.35 p.m.) Sydney, May 9. Five strikers who participated in attacks on Mr Simpson and the Rozelle volunteers at Leichardt were to-day sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. The Magistrate, Mr Laidlaw, commented stronglj' on the brutality of the strikers’ tactics, and said he must make an example of the accused. One of the prisoners collapsed when he heard the sentence and the wives of the men sobbed hysterically outside the Court. —Australian Press Association.

Mr W. H. Simpson, managing director of Bell and Frazer, timber merchants, Rozelle, and his two sons were victims of a sensational attack on May 2. A mob of about 50 men attacked three cars in which volunteer workers were proceeding to the mills. Bricks and other missiles were thrown. Mr Simpson, who was in the leading car, drew a revolver and fired two shots. The noise of the uproar brought Balmain police on the run. The attackers made off, but the police arrested three. The owner and driver of the third car, who was the only other armed man, was stunned by a brick which came through the windscreen before he could draw his revolver. Mr Simpson’s sons, who were driving the first and second cars, escaped injury and none of the volunteers were hurt. STRIKERS’ REQUEST TO PREMIER. (Rec. 9.40 p.m.) a Melbourne, May 9. A deputation from the timber strikers’ executive, as a result of yesterday’s demonstration, waited on the Prime Minister and asked for sustenance for dependents of the men unemployed through the timber dispute. The Prime Minister emphatically declined to allow Mr Garden into the building. He promised the deputation that he would see if the parties to the dispute could again be brought together, but gave no undertaking in reference to sustenance.—Australian Press Association.