YOUNG HOOLIGANS ROUTED.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1921, Page 9

YOUNG HOOLIGANS ROUTED.

FIGHT FOR THE AIAG IN SYDNEY SUBURB. Sydney, May 17. There was a very remarkable fight a couple of days ago in Balmain, an overcrowded harbor-side suburb, between a gang of very young hoodlums from the surrounding slums, and another gang of boys who are being trained to be naval cadets, under the auspices of the Navy League. The Navy headquarters are situated Avithin low stone Avails, at the waterside, and some thirty lads were there receiving instruction, under a captain. With deliberation indicating a careful plan, young hoodlums began to gather in the stfrects outside the naval ground. When there Avere about forty present, a number of them climbed up on the wall, Avhilc the remainder congregated at the gate, and they announced, in language that would have made a bullocky blush, that they Avere going to remove the Union Jack from the flagpole and burn it. Tlie captain told the boys to go away, but they became aggressive and began to push their way into the grounds. There Avas only one thing to do. The captain unleashed his naval boys.

The navy boys went at the intruders In silent fury. The clash Avas short and sharp, and in a moment the hoodlums Avere outside, in a disordered mass. They retired to a rocky eminence on the other side of the street, and began a fusillade, of stones. The captain tried to hold his boys in check, but ft was more than boy nature could stand. The navy boys brol>e out of the ground, dashed across th£ road and scaled the height in spite 'Of a volley of stones. These was another lively scrimmage, and then both sides fell apart, while the two leaders began a merry fight in a space between the combatant lines. It Avas a deadly struggle and both fell. Only the naval boy got up. The hoodlum, with tAVo black eyes and a crimson nose, lay and bellowed his defeat.

The captain got his warriors back inside, Avhere they gathered in front of headquarters and had to submit to a further volley of stones. The naval leader, defying authority, dashed out and severely thrashed three more of the would-be flag burners, while the captain •was sending for the police. While they Avere Availing for the police, a frightened woman rushed in to say that a hoodlum gang had caught a naval boy in a side street, and Avere killing him. The naval forces Avent to the rescue at the double, but the lioodlums awaited not their coming. With metaphorical tails firmly tucked between their legs, they scattered and fled for home. Several of the naval boys had to be treated for injuries inflicted by stones.