STORMING OF THE MASONIC HALL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 16, 16 August 1873, Page 9

STORMING OF THE MASONIC HALL.

A Tory sensational proceeding occurred at the Dunedin Masonic Hall early on the evening of Friday, Bth inst. Mr Hudson, confectioner, purchased the property from the mortgagee on the 26th ult., for L 2.500, and on the Bth, finding the doors open, put throe men into possession about nine o'clock in the morning. Peaceable possession was held unil five o'clock in the evening, when a number of persons, •rtned with crowbars and heavy bludgeons in variety, marched up to the building. Finding the doors barred and locked, they commenced an onslaught on a large window on the west side, and an entry was thus effected, although many of the storming party were cut with the glass. Resistance was made by those within, but they were soon overpowered and forcibly ejected. A patrol was then appointed, and a strict watch kept on the premises to prevent v surprise. No further disturbance took place, Mr Hudson stating it to be hi 9 intention to bring an action at law. A number of persons assembled opposite the hall, but remained neutral. The police were ieut for, and provision thus made to present a recurrence of a similar scene. This description we take from the ' Daily Times.' The ' Evening Star ' of a subsequent date hears that the justice of the peace and others concerned in the fracas at the Masonic Hall on Friday afternoon, will be called upon in a few days to answer an information charging them with forcible entry.