EGGS AND BLUE METAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9302, 31 July 1908, Page 1

EGGS AND BLUE METAL.

Superintendent Mitchell was seen hurrying up George Street from the corner of Goulburn Street, where a mass of people were gathered. " I want a tramway officer to put the trolleypoles of these cars rignt," he said to one who asked him why his hurry. The police superintendent returned with a tramway inspector, who climbed on, the roof of one car and pulled down the pole that was rearing its wheel heavenwards between the wires.

".Haven't you got a mother?" yelled the crowd, while several shouted coarse epithets, amongst which references to "pimps" were frequent and free.

" Let him have it 1" shouted someone as the officer caught hold of the ' pole, and immediately a shower of eg\,s came. Some hit him, while others burst on the roof of the car or amongst j the crowd on the other side. He looked round, calmly smiled, and, un- ! tangling the rope round the pole, ad- ! justed it, amongst a^ pyrotechnic. di& ! play that proved the power to be still i there. Then the egg bombardment ! began again, and finally a lump of blue metal as large as a man's fist, hurtled over the tramway officer's shoulder and crashed into the front of the other car. The officer then got in front, ,and, with someone to take care of the trolley-rope, the car moved off, amidst cheers and howls, only to be stopped again before Campbell Street wa6 reached.

George Street was a busy day all along. At about mid-day there were fully 10,000 people congregated at the intersection of George and Campbell, Streets. About twenty, mounted constables, and as many foot policemen, were endeavouring to keep a clear roadway. The crowd resented the part played by the constables, and gave them all the trouble they could. Eggs, oranges and even small stones were thrown, but no blood was shed, except that of an innocent fox-terrier, which some brutal ruffian hurled at a trooper. The dog came down head first on the hard roadway, and expired in a few seconds.