GLASGOW HOOLIGANS ROGUE ELEPHANT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2088, 24 May 1907, Page 1

GLASGOW HOOLIGANS

ROGUE ELEPHANT.

A REIGN OF TERROR IN THE SCOTTISH CITY.

Glasgow is rapidly attaining notoriety as tlio roughest city in Britain. In country districts throughout Scotland it is now commonly referred to as the “Home for Hooligans,” while “The Hooligans’ Mecca” is the contemptuous epithet choson to designate tho western capital of Scotland by her jealous rivals of the north. Unfortunately, it cannot be denied that there arc substantial "“rounds for the aspersions upon the city’s character, not a day passing without soiuo dozen of cases of hooligans being dealt with by the magistrates. In certain localities organised bands of roughs parade the streets in broad daylight, to the danger of peaceable inhabitants, and after nightfall assaults of the most savage character upon the police and public alike are of regular occurrence. These gangs usually adopt some fantastic title, by which they are know namong themselves, such’as the “San Toys,” “Vixen Crowd,” “Coliseum Boys,” “Hi Hi’s,” and each gang possesses a particular “sphere of influence,” where they institute a perfect reign of terror, indulging in theft, assault, and blackmail.

During the pantomino season blackmail of a particularly objectionable nature was systematically practised upon the chorus-girls at the various theatres, and should any member of a gang he arrested and allowed the option of a fine his companions immediately levy toll upon the neighboring shopkeepers, threatening to wreck their shops and destroy their goods should they refuse to comply with their demands for a contribution towards tlie impost. Yet another class of Glasgow “rough” are the “corner boys,” who, as their name implies, loaf around street corners, and hustle pedestrians off the pavement, the while they deftly “pick” their pockets. Should resistance be offered a “knucklo-dustor” is usually brought into play, though knives, and even revolvers, are by no moans uncommon. Excellent as are the police arrangements of Glasgowv, they have proved inadequate to cope effectively with the present outbreak of ruffianism, which day by day becomes more alarming.

One result of this state of affairs is that many’ young fellows in tho country resolutely refuse to come to the city in order to bettor their positions, as they object to having to board with such hooligans, those districts to which the laboring classes naturally migrate being overrun with these objectionable characters. “How to remedy the evil?” is tho question that is now being asked upon all sides. In many quarters flogging is upheld as being the only corrective likely to have any permanent effect upon these “roughs,” who simply laugh at the longest' term of imprisonment which it is in the powqr of the magistrate to inflict. Whatever the method adopted, to bo salutary it must undoubtedly bo severe and must, moreover, be adopted soon,’ if Glasgow is to recover, its reputation for decency and order.

An exciting adventure lias befallen Mr. S. M. Fraser, Chief Commissioner of Coorg, and Resident of Mysore. While riding along a narrow zigzaging path through a dense jungle, Mr. li'raser heard an elephant mooing near by. Suddenly a wild er—one of the elephants known as a. “rogue”—appeared in the path, ami without a, moment’s hesitation squealed am;l charged the commissioner. The latter turned-his horse into 04 opening in the jungle, only to find that he was trapped in the thick growth. Behind him came the raging tusker bent on mischief. ' With great presence of mind Mr. Fraser threw his arms round a free trunk and let his horse gallop from under, him. Then he dropped to the ground on all fours and dodged fieliind a big tree. The elephant at once tiinied to seek him, and for- a time man and animal dodged each other round the tree trunks.

The elephant, however, was not quick enough, and Mr. Fraser managed to get some distance away, being immensely relieved a few minutes later to sea.his huge’antagonist move off down the path again ami disappear.