KNIVES AND BOTTLES FLY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 509, 12 November 1928, Page 9

KNIVES AND BOTTLES FLY

GRIM MELBOURNE FRAY BATTLE WITH ITALIANS (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) Reed. 10.10 a.m. MELBOURNE, To-day A street figlit between Italians and Australians in West Melbourne yesterday afternoon resulted in two meu being taken to hospital. One had been struck on the head with a bottle, and the other stabbed in the groin. The trouble is said to have arisen out of a visit of small boys to a shop kept by an Italian. It is alleged that one tried to steal ice cream, and was promptly kicked out. He informed liis relatives, and a number of men and women visited the shop. They had words with the owner, but matters seemed smoothed over, and the crowd was taking the police advice to go away when a young man rushed past a constable, and appeared to strike the Italian, who fell to the ground bleeding from a knife wound. Then the fight was on. The Italian was joined by compatriots. Stones and bottles flew. The Italian shopkeeper was badly wounded iu the face by a stone. He rushed inside and secured a revolver, and fired a couple of shots at the crowd, but owing to blood filling his eyes his aim was poor. Before he could fire again he was disarmed by a policeman, and was later charged with having carried a pistol without a permit. The two injured men are Roy Johnson, a wharf labourer, and an Italian.