PUSHES FIGHT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16037, 30 January 1920, Page 7

PUSHES FIGHT.

ROW OVER A GIRL,

MELBOURNE’S LITTLE WAR

WHOOPS LIKE WILD INDIANS.

MELBOURNE, January 17. Parts of Carlton and Eitzroy have been disturbed lately by noisy and quarrelsome gangs of youths who comprise rival pushes, the “Woolpacks,” “Checkers,’ and “Red Roses.” Tuesday night was made hideous in Nicholson Street by the roaring of a mob of young men, who were lighting and cursing to such an extent that peaceful citizens in the neighbourhood were thrown into a state of alarm, which was not lessened when the reports of four revolver shots rang out. The “Vvoolpaeks” is a Carlton pnsh, but the “Checkers” and “Red Roses” hail from North Eitzroy. The “Checkers” are composed of young men and the “Rod,., Roses” of others more youthful. '’They arc .i-eally the same gang, but there is au age qualification, foi\ membership of the “Checkers” which is rigidly enforced.

THE ETERNAL FEMININE. Tuesday’s outbreak of hostilities Is said to bo due to the actions of a young woman who was the favoured of one of the “Checker’s” gang, but transferred her affection to one of the “Woolpacks.” who took her to a dance. The news spread rapidly among the Fitzroy roughs, and aa the gay “Woolpacker” was escorting his partner home after the dance he was met by several members of Hie opposing faction. They raved and whooped like wild Indians, and one discharged a revolver.

Then everybody ran, but a eonncil of war was held subsequently, the result being that last night a largo number of youths assembled near McPherson Street, armed with pic-kets, to give battle to the “Checkers” and its nursery class. A knowledge of the intended engagement had been gained by the police, and an ample force had been sent up to deal with the situation. The “pushes” on seeing the helmcted division approaching scattered in all direction s.i