VICTIM OF BERLIN RIOTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 106, 6 May 1929, Page 7

VICTIM OF BERLIN RIOTS

FORMER WANGANUI MAYOR SHOT DEAD STROLLED UNCONCERNEDLY IN DANGER ZONE A brief cable message from Berlin, referring to the clashes bebetween police and Communists in the German cities, tells of the death of “ Charles E. Mackay, a New Ze lander, formerly of Wanganui.” Mr Mackay was found shot and died en route to hospital. It is presumed that the Mr Charles E. Mackay referred to, was a former Mayor of this city, Mr Charles Evan Mackay, who held office for 14 years.

[ Australian Press Assn. ] Received May 5, 8 p.m BERLIN, May 4. Among the killed in last night’s rioting wa a Charles E. Mackay, a New Zealander, formerly of Wanganui, and recently doing journalistic work. Apparently he disregarded the police warning.and strolled unconcernedly in the streets of the Nukollen quarter during the thick of the disturbances. Thu police found him lying in the street witn a bullet wound in the breast. He was rushed to hospital out died en route. Details of tnu barricade fighting show tnat it was more serious than caoied previously, ihe casualties number 3UV. Armoured cars advanced against the barricades in the Hermann btrasse, which was blocked for a mil e with felled trees. The police stormed tne stronghold. The prospects of a conflict were so serious that they decided to postpone the attack till daybreak, avoiding heavy bloodshed. in the Nukollen quarter there was renewed rioting and looting of shops. The district has the appearance ot a battlefield. The streets are bespattered with blood, suggesting that the rioters sustained heavier losses than they admit. Rioting is reported in harbour district uf Hamburg where drastic measures which might be applied to a conquered town in war time nave been proclaimed in certain districts. Nobody is allowed in the streets between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m., except doctors and nurses. Even in daytime nobody is allowed to stand in doorways, and groups of three are forbidden. The cafes and beer houses are closed at nine. The police state that this is necessary to show the Communists that they mean business and will ruthlessly suppress further efforts to cause trouble. Intermittent fighting is continuing in Communist haunts. Demonstrators stoned tho police from windows. The police fired a machine-gun and two women were killed. Most of the inhabitants took refuge in cellars.

NEWSPAPER S COMMENT ASSISTANT CORRESPONDENT [ Australian Press Assn. ] Received May 6, 1 a.m, LONDON, May 4. The Sunday Express, regretting to have to announce the death of Mackay says ho was their assistant correspondent at Berlin. The paper publishes a cable from Sefton Delmer. chief correspondent of the Daily Express and Sunday Express, saying: “Mackay was one of my best xtiends, and one of the most brilliant men I have ever met.’’ It describes how they together toured the Wedding district on Friday night till 11.30, when Delmer went to cable London, while Mackay went to tho Nukollen district with instructions to ascertain from the police whether the disturbance was continuing. Mackay had no intention of entering the danger zone. If he did, it was by accident. Mackay wore next. to his chest an amulet of green jade, given him by a Maori Chier. If this exercised any influence at all, it brought only bitter sorrow and disappointment. Mackay was iq London last year and engaged in a business venture, into which he put all his money. The business failed and Mackay went to Berlin nine months ago. Mackay’s grandfather was an officer in the Maori War. The late Charles Evan Mackay was between 50 or 60 years of age. At the age of 16 he won a university scholarship and three year s later ho became a graduate of arts. He studied law and practised in Wanganui as a barrister and solicitor. In 1906, although only a young man, about 26 years of age, he aspired to civic honours and wa a elected Mayor of this city. He continued in office until 1920 when a serious charge, on which he stood his trial, spoilt a promising career. He was sentenced to imprisonment and, on his release a year or two ago, went abroad.