CURRENT TOPICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5055, 14 September 1894, Page 1

CURRENT TOPICS.

GIVE THEM THE LASH. What may happen in connection with well-developed larrikinism was told in the Bichmond (Melbourne) Police Court, tho other day; Blake O'Neill, Archibald "Wilson, and Alexander Batcliff, ranging in age from twenty to twenty-three year?, were charged with assaulting the po.i Ie, inciting prisoners to resist arrest, insulting behaviour and obscene language. Evidence was given that pris one. s belonged to a notoiious gang of larrikins in South Bichmond, who, on the night of Sept. 9, waylaid several pedestrians in the neighbourhood of the Church Street Bridge. Constables Strahan and Withera went to the an.istan.e of a man whom the three prisoners were mai treating, and the whole gang, armed with stones aiid battens, sat upon them. One of Str ah an' 8 fingers was split by a stone thrown by Bacoliffe, who wss a'so instrumental in seenring the escape of one of his companions upon whom the handcuffs had already been placed. The Constables were cub about the arms and legs ; s'ones pierced their helmets, and a portion of Strahan's uniform was torn into shreds. Constable Strahan was so brutally handi td that he found it necessary, in defence of hiß life, to fire his revolver, but even tben tho gang fil nob disperse till tl c third chamber rf the weapon had _e_n exploded. Four convictions, principally for assaults, wera proved against O'Neill and Wilson, the Utter protesting, however, that he wos not the right man. O'Neill was fin.d .£ll or three months, Wilson .810 or threi months and Eatcliif £7 or two mon .hs. All the prisoners retired to the watch-house.