“ YELLING CROWD OF STUDENTS TORE THROUGH SYDNEY.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18780, 8 June 1929, Page 27 (Supplement)

“ YELLING CROWD OF STUDENTS TORE THROUGH SYDNEY.”

POLICE REINFORCED TO QUELL DISTURBANCE. (Special to the “ Star/’) May 21. Prompt action has been taken by the Vice-Chancellor of the Sydney University (Professor Wallace) following the disgraceful scenes when the undergraduates ran wild in the city last night. To-morrow’s public procession and other university commemoration festivities have been officially cancelled. Intense indignation is expressed over the desecration of the Cenotaph by students in Martin Place last night. Wreaths were tossed into the street | and trampled upon. The Chief Secretary (Mr Chaffey) said he had called for a report from the police. “So far as I am personally concerned,” he said, “no one shall receive preferential treatment. They have got to behave themselves whether they are university students or anyone else.” Expulsion Demanded. The State secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ League (Mr W. J. Stagg) said the desecration of the Cenotaph could not be excused. “I consider,” he said, “that it is the duty of the University Senate to ascertain the names of all offenders, who should be summarily expelled. I have arranged to interview the Commissioner of Police to ascertain what action the authorities propose to take.” Mrs Mercer, of the Mothers, Wives and Widows’ Association, intends to press for the issue of summonses against the offenders. As a result of the disturbance the League will probably urge night and day police protection for the Cenotaph. The undergraduates’ public procession was banned by the University Senate after the 1923 demonstration, and was restored this year only after the intervention of a number of leading men, including Professor Wallace, who takes a keen interest in the students’ activities. The disgraceful scenes in Martin Place took place after a disturbance at the Tivoli Theatre, where the students pelted the performers with tomatoes, eggs, and other missiles, and wrecked the show. Rush. Through Streets. After the performance, hundreds of students congregated in Castlereagh Street, and, forming a huge “crocodile,” tore towards Martin Place. Traffic was held up in Castlereagh and King Streets while they passed. Warned of the rush, officials at the Hotel Australia closed and bolted all doors. The mob of undergraduates tore along Castlereagh Street to Hunter Street, yelling their war cries. They went down Hunter Street to George Street, and thence to Martin Place. At the Cenotaph a number of the leaders stopped, and hundreds of others crushed on top of them. While the howling crowd was pushing and shoving around the Cenotaph, a wreath was hurled in the air. It fell on the roadway, and was trampled on. Other wreaths followed, and vases were thrown after them. The police on duty rushed over and seized two students. There was an angry demonstration from the mob, but the two men were taken in a taxi to the Central Police Station. The police restored the wreaths to the Cenotaph. The mob tore down Pitt Street to the Central Police Station, but police reinforcements were awaiting them. Inspector Weir warned the students and ordered them to leave the Station. The names of the two students were taken by the police, and after their parents had been notified they were allowed to leave. Another batch of wildly excited students rushed a refreshment shop in Pitt Street, and police had to be called in. Wild Night at Theatre. The undergraduates’ night at the Tivoli Theatre last night was a riot. A bombardment of ripe tomatoes and eggs, a hail of carrots, “throw downs” and soft grapes, and a shower of apples and buttered scones were adjuncts to the display of hooliganism. A woman in evening dress was hit on the head with an egg. Another woman was stunned when a pineapple struck her. Cheers—And Hoots ! There were cheers when Sir Mungo M’Callum, the Chancellor, arrived, and more cheers when Professor Wallace appeared in the theatre. Miss Marien, a comedienne, was greeted with cheers when she came on to the stage. She reminded the students that they had promised to keep quiet. Howls of dissent greeted her reminder, and when she and her partner tried to do their turn, they had such a warm reception that they retired. Mr Murray Gosper, president of the Undergraduates’ Association, appealed for order. He was hissed and hooted, and had to wait several minutes before he could make himself heard. With the disturbance still at its height. Professor Wallace appeared behind the footlights with Mr Gosper and Mr F. Bayldon, ex-president of the association. “I expected better things from you,” •said Professor Wallace. “I thought you would show some courtesy to those who were trying to entertain you. I would appeal to you strongly ” Professor Howled Down. That was as far as he got. Professor Wallace, the friend of the students, was howled down, and he left the stage in disgust. Jack Party, London comedian, appealed for order on behalf of the performers. “Don’t be goats,” he said, “we have travelled thousands of miles to entertain you’ surely you can keep reasonably quiet- ’ Barty was struck in the eye with a tomato. “Don’t be dogs!” he yelled. A second tomato hit him on the shoulder. “Carrion,” roared Barty, and in one leap cleared the footlights and orchestra pit, landing in the central aisle. He ripped punches into a man sitting several seats back, and then went back to the stage. Other turns were also interrupted. Even during a balancing act a piece of apple was thrown. Subsequently, according to cable messages, Thomas Temperley, aged nineteen, was fined £2 for riotous behaviour. A similar charge against Vergil Loschiavo, an Italian, was adjourned to enable him to produce evidence in his defence. The Magistrate acquitted Temperley of desecration of the Cenotaph. A double baulk stroke in billiards is that which the player must deliver without aiming directly either at his opponent’s or at the red ball.