DAMAGE OF £2000.

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 116, 11 May 1932, Page 5

DAMAGE OF £2000.

IN WELLINGTON ORGY OF WINDOW-SMASHING COMPANY SECRETARY ATTACKED (Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day. Windows smashed in Lambton Quay and ‘Willis S'freet numbered 16 9, and the loss is estimated at approximately £2OOO. [ The heaviest losers were Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains, drapers, 11 out of 24 large windows facing Lambton Quay, the damage being estimated at £3OO, and is covered by a special riot insurance policy. Five of these windows have only small holes, caused by stones. Among the missiles picked up were a pram wheel, motor radiator cap, garbage tin lid, an iron bolt and a spanner. Windows were cleared of stock, but are being re-dressed to-day. The D.I.C. lost four windows out of eighteen. Woman Wields a Stick / The secretary of this company went out into the street to remonstrate with the smashers. He was set upon by a woman with a stick and a mob of angry men. By the time he fought his way back into the building he had received cuts and bruises. Neither of the firms mentioned lost goods. The Wairarapa Farmers’ Cooperative Association lost four large windows, the damage being estimated at £7O, covered by insurance. The main losers so far as looting was concerned, appear to be Armits, Ltd., tobacconists, in the Quay, the mob helping itself to tobacco, pipes, and other goods on display. The loss has not been estimated, but the firm carried a special insurance cover. Manners Street. Losses In Manners Street, 19 windows were broken, including four in Schneideman’s. James Smith’s, drapers, lost one. In general the premises that suffered in all three streets have boarded up their windows, but some have merely patched them where the glass' \ had not completely gone. Hasty Work Of Destruction The nature of the damage bears witness all through of the haste with which it was committed. Police Organisation Sixty police under Inspectors Lander and Lopdel were at the Parliament Buildings when the demonstration arrived there yesterday. An urgent appeal went out at 4 o'clock for all specials, and within half an hour the whole of the available number, a very large force, were

assembled at the Central Police Station and the Taranaki Street Station.

Later on those at the Taranaki

Street Station were transferred to the Central Station. Specials were not called upon until the police had driven back the crowd at Whitcombe and Tombs in Lambton Quay. ALL RELIEF WORKS DECLARED “BLACK” (Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, Last Night. The relief workers’ strike committee met immediately after the window smashing had ceased, and was addressed by Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., and Mr. A. Parlane, of the Drivers' Union, who endorsed the action taken by the strike committee up to that evening, but discountenanced all acts of violence. They approved of the manner in which the demonstration to Parliament Buildings had been organised and the conduct until the dispersal. When the speakers retired a relief finance committee of seven members \ was formed, with power to act, and a trade union committee of three was elected. All relief works in 'Wellington city were declared black. Only the strike committee is to take any steps towards a settlement. WORK OF SPECIAL CONSTABLES STREETS PATROLLED TO-DAY (Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day. After the police had made a baton

charge in Lambton Quay two companies of special constables moved up to Cuba and Manners Street, where they formed a human barricade and prevented the crowd going further.

Other companies of specials meanwhile were sent to guard the .entrances to Lambton Quay and Willis Street, under Major Justin Al. Power. The organisation under which the specials worked was very complete.

After it was seen that the trouble was not likely to be renewed, the specials were sent out in various patrols and a detachment was despatched to Wellington South Police Station to be ready in the event of any lawlessness in that district.

The patrolling of streets is being continued to-day and a large number of reserves are in readiness.

ARRESTED MEN IN COURT

REMANDED TILL FRIDAY

(Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Dav

The arrests numbered 2 3 and these men appeared in Court this morning on various •'■barges of inciilns-: to lawlessness. being rogues and vagabonds in that they were found armed with offensive weapons with felonious intent, some with indecent language, and some with theft; also with assaulting the police in the execution of their duty and obstructing the nolice in the execution of their duty.

On the application of Inspector Lopdel’, who said that other charges would probably be made, all the accused were remanded by Mr. Page, S.M., till Friday. Bail was fixed at £2OO for each of the accused. COMMISSIONER OF POLICE PAYS TRIBUTE TO CONSTABLES “The outbreak was obviously the result of a sudden and unexpected move by a small section of the criminally-minded hooligans who apparently came unprepared with stones and other missiles to smash windows,” said Commissioner of Police Wohlmann in a statement to a “Post” representative to-day.

“The prompt and disciplined manner in which the special constables

appeared on the scene when instructed, and the efficient way in which they carried out their duties was highly commendable.

“I am sure their services are appreciated by citizens as they are giving their time voluntarily, from a high sense of citizenship and public duty, and doubtless at considerable inconvenience to themselves. “I feel that the thanks of the community are due to these men for their public-spirited services. Members of the regular force behaved with commendable restraint and tact, discharging their duties cheerfully, as they always do. Inspector Lander who has been in charge of the special arrangements carried out his duties with marked discretion.

The night passed quietly, and al-

though there are no grounds for anticipating a similar occurrence adequate steps are being taken to prevent any further disgraceful display of wanton mischief. One serious result of the occurrence must be a change of attitude an the part of the public towards the genuine unemployed. “Although we have an ample number enrolled as special constables, owing to the unexpected duties they have been called upon to perform it is necessary to arrange a system of relief. 1 am therefore controlling additional number of special constables so that duties can be carried on over 24 hours if necessary.” Commissioner Wolilmann stated that the police had-complete control throughout, and ft was not deemed necessary to call on outside assistance. THE LOOTING- OF SHOPS NOT ON A LARGE SCALE Inquiries reveal that rather more looting than was realised last night occurred. Jewellers’ windows were the worst sufferers but the amount of goods stolen is really small. Some few pair of hoots were taken, and some overcoats from other shops, but so quickly was the position taken in hand bv the police that looting on a scale that occurred in Auckland was impossible. About 1000 men are back on the unemployed jobs to-day, and many more would return if assured of protection.