SERIOUS RIOT

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1931, Page 7

SERIOUS RIOT

DOLE DECLARED “BLACK.” THREE POLICEMEN INJURED. A police sergeant and two constables were viciously attacked and injured at Bulli, New South Wales, on May 11, by a crowd of men, the ring-leaders of whom were recognised as Communists. Disgraceful scenes were witnessed outside the dole office, young and powerful men hammering at the police with bludgeons which they had brought with them. With blood streaming down their faces the policemen finally were forced to draw their revolvers. Their attackers, who up to this time, because of their overwhelming numbers, were having things mostly their own way, stampeded when they caw the revolvers. Rushing blindly for cover, they flung away the sticks, “life-preservers” and bludgeons which they had carried. Reinforcements of police from Wollongong, under the command of Inspector Gibson, made 14 arrests, and found a number of discarded weapons. There were pieces of iron piping with loops at the end for more effective use, rubber tubes which had been filled with lead, and '■ticks with heavy knots at one end. Communists from Thirroul, Port Kenibla, and other places were present before the time for the opening of the office at th- miners’ hall for the issuing of dole tickets. Those present were harangued by speakers, who endeavouied to create 1 discontent concerning the amount of the dole. Finally a resolution that the dole should be declared “black” was declared carried. The Communists picketed, the dole office, disregarding the warning that if they interfered with people who wished to receive the dole they would be arrested. One of the pickets loudly replied that they would be better off in the’ cells than trying to live on the dole. Not all those present agreed with this view, and one man, more selfpossessed than the rest, shouldered his w y forward and was about to enter the office when he was pushed back by a number of men who had formed a ring near the door.

At this juncture Sergeant Standen stepped forward to arrest one of the Conimunifite. Seemingly by pre-arrange-ment, the pickete immediately attacked the police. Iron bars, batons and hammers were produced. Sergeant Standen and Constable Perry persisted in the attempt to arrest a man, and a serious fight ensued. Sergeant Standen was struck a violent blow on the head, and he received a very serious, wound, which bled freely, his jacket being saturated with blood. Constable Perry received three cute on the head. The sergeant and the constable drew their batons, but the riot quickly assumed serious proportions. All those in the front ranks were endeavouring to belabour the policemen. Some of them were raving and brandishing the weapons which they had had secreted about them. During this melee a horse and cart were overturned. Some of the rioters scrambled over the kicking animal. After a violent struggle, with the odds considerably against the two policemen, the man was taken to the local lock-up. On approaching the lock-up gates Sergeant Standen, in attempting to arrest another rioter, was struck a violent blow on the back of the head with a hammer, which a man had drawn from his inside pocket. The blow felled the sergeant. Finally the police produced their revolvers and the rioters retreated. Constable Smith, who was also assaulted, received many braises. He took charge of the arrested man, and placed him in the lock-up. The Communist who felled Sergeant Standen ran into the bush s toward the mountains.