DISORDERLY CONDUCT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13847, 8 March 1909, Page 6

DISORDERLY CONDUCT.

TWO ROWDIES ARRESTED

A somewhat exciting arrest was made at Temuka on Friday nignt wnen two men giving their names as Joseph and Edward Donaldson were apprenended by the police for drunkenness and disturbing a public entertainment. Tlie offenders, two big burly looking individuals, arrived at Temuka during the ilay from Orari, where they were employed oil the Government lines, working with a ballast gang shingling. It appears they were dismissed from the works for creating a disturbance in the tamps and made their way to Temuka. In the course of their perambulations they visited some of the hotels and got drink which apparently did them no good. A good deal of "fight" was talked and towards evening they followed an old man, a swagger, along King Street, and assaulted him in front of the public institute. Some young fellows near by resented the cowardly attack, and one of them dealt the culprit a severe blow which partly brought liim to his senses. At this juncture, a constable*who was in the vicinity administered some sound advice to the pair, but it was of no good. One of them dared all the police and people in the country to take him. He was, however, enticed away by his mate, and nothing further transpired until about 7.45 p.m., when the two made their way to the public liall where the Sellers were about to commence an entertainment. They paid for admission to the back of the hall, and having got inside forced their way to the front.seats and used filthy language in doing so, daring and challenging all and sundry to; put them out. The. management reasoned with tlie men, but it was no use. The performance was unable to get a start for some time, and' when it did they continually int.'iTupted and the police were sent I'i.r. There was an uneasy feeling among tlie audience, as it was rumoured the men had firearms in their possession. At this stage they adjourned for refreshments and were met at the gate entrance by Constables Gillespie and Glass. The former immediately closed with the more rowdy one; and the latter with his companion. A fierce struggle ensued, and when it was seen that the two men ' were not particular how they attacked the constables a number of young fellows who had assembled, to their credit be it said, rendered assistance to the police, and the two men were eventually handcuffed, and one of them was strapped to prevent his kicking. They were placed in a. trap and conveyed to the lock-up. On being searched no firearms were found. Constable Gillespie and his assistant, Constable Glass, deserve great credit for ridding the town of these disturbers of the peace. During the struggle Constable Gillespie was severely bitten by his assailant wlio put his teeth into the bone of the small finger of the right hand, inflicting

At the Magistrate's Court, Tern uka, on Saturday, before Mr T. Buxton, J.P., the two Donaldsons were charged with drunkenness and disturbing a public entertainment, and with assulting and resisting the police. Constable Gillespie asked for a remand until Tuesday. The application was granted, and the accused were brought into Timarn gaol on Saturday.