MOB WRECKS HOME IN MELBOURNE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17881, 24 June 1926, Page 10

MOB WRECKS HOME IN MELBOURNE.

“ PUSH ” BREAKS UP PARTY AT HOUSE. SYDNEY, June 11. Another mob outrage was perpetrated in Melbourne last Saturday, when, using pickets, bricks, bottles and stones, twenty men forced their way into the home of Mr Henry Penny, at Brown Street, South Yarra. and effectively broke up a party in progress there. Early in the evening Mr Penny was receiving the guests when he noticed that three strangers, not sponsored by any of his friends, had forced their wayin to the house. He asked them to leave, but when, they refused he was forced, with the assistance of his friends, to eject them. They left the vicinity of the house, and Penny thought he had seen the last of them. Apparently, however, they went away and got together a mob. for soon after 11 p.m. Penny's house was invaded by 20 men armed with all kinds of weapOno of the attackers fused the lights in tbe building, and a terrific fight waged in the dark, Penny’s friends, though hopelessly outnumbered, ranging themselves behind him in an effort to repel the invaders. Windows were broken, crockery and glassware were smashed, and. all the defenders were injured by the living misi siles. [ The women sought refuge in one room, while their menfolk fought up

and down the passages. Penny was felled by a brick which struck him on the forehead, while his mates were all injured more or less sefiously before the attackers withdrew, apparently satisfied with their reprisals. Prahran police were informed as soon as one of the attacked men could right his way out to a telephone, but by the time the police arrived the raiders had gone, leaving a number of their victims unconscious. Penny was taken to hospital, where a number of stitches were necessary to close the wound in his head. He was returning to his home with a friend at l a m., when the same mob met them. On that occasion they centred their attack on Penny’s companion. He was kicked, punched, and beaten to the ground, only the timely arrival of the police on beat duty saving him from serious injur}-.