A FIGHT TO A FINISH

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15979, 6 May 1924, Page 5

A FIGHT TO A FINISH

AN UGLY INCIDENT. i MELBOURNE TRAM STRIKE. CROWD IN UGLY MOOD. United Press Association. Received . May 6, 11,30 a.m. MELBOURNE, May 5. An ugly situation occurred in connection with the tramway strike. When two constables were passing a crowd which had congregated outside the Socialist Hall, they were subjected to hooting and abuse. The constables, after being threatened by the crowd, turned and made off, with a large section of the mob in pursuit. They had gone about 100 yards, when one of them turned and fired his revolver at t.he crowd. The cartridge was a blank one, but it had the effect of stopping pursuit'. r ... ':'

The incident appeared to put the crowd in an angry mood, and several street fights followed. Shortly after a detachment of police arrived and dispersed the gathering. Following the disturbance two arrests were made.

Many of the crowd threatened the police who were making the arrests', but after some trouble the angry section was quelled. All troopers have been ordered to be ready for immediate action. Police leave has been cancelled.

No trams were run yesterday, except on some of ihe electric circuits, but the full effect will not he felt until to-day, as yesterday was a holiday. The' Railway Department, ran many extra trains to cope with the traffic. The Victorian branch of the Australian Railway Union will meet tonight, when it is expected the tramway strike and railway employees’ attitude will be discussed. 7’tic Tramway Board stated that until the cable trams ceased yesterday, they had been running continuously, except on Sunday mornings, for 3G years. A meeting of ihe Tramway Union passed a resolution placing the matter in the hands of the Trades Hall Disputes Committee, and also favouring a fight to a finish.