A LIVELY BALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 3 June 1919, Page 3

A LIVELY BALL.

FREE FIGHT AMONG. SAILORS. A regrettable occurrence happened at Portsmouth, England, recently at a dance in the Public Hall, which was attended by American and Brazilian sailors visiting the port. Some unpleasantness arose through, it is alleged, American sailors objecting to Brazilians dancing with British girls and bumping into them. It is stated an American chid petty officer struck a. Brazilian sailor, whereupon a free fight ensudd. The organiser of the dance, Councillor Langdon, turned out the light and endeavoured to clear the room, but the disorder continued, and in the darkness some ladies attending the dance received minor injuries. Councillor Langdon himself had some teeth knocked out. ,

Chajrs and bottles were used as clubs; knives, it is said, were drawn, and one sailor produced a revolver, but did not fire. Meanwhile the police were sent for, and two sergeants and 12 men arrived, but nearly all the, combatants had then left .the building. Everything was iu disorder, and on stairs and landing were pieces of broken chairs and glass. A Brazilian sailor was rendered insensible by, it is thought, a blow from a bottle, and was also severely kicked. With another Brazilian who was suffering from a contused wound over the eye he was taken to hospital. Only the former was detained for treatment. Spectators say the Brazilians wore not to blame for what happened, as they were orderly and behaved courteously*