The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1903-06-24 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

EIGHT ARRESTS.  The notoriety gained by Birkenhead through the murder of John Kensit, Protestant preacher, is in a fair way to becoming increaasd, a speedy steps are not taken to preveut disturbances similar to that which occuyred at the Park entrance, Conway-street. on Sunday afternoon. The terrible result to the attack an Mr. Remit one would have thought sufficient to deter people from indulging in any further aggressive tactics, and the peaceable inter' lude was certainly suggestive that at the price of a man's life rioting had been put an end to. However, it is quite evident that such an idea is erroneous, and consequently the police till is likely to be a heavy one for some time to come, the "Wickliffites" showing no disposition to lin any way moderate their zeal. The piesent outbreak is indirectly the outcome of the hospitals' demonstration. It will be iememberad that after the procession had disbanded the Orangemen were being escorted home by a band, when a tree fight ensued .vith the Roman Catholics, resulting iii visits by both parties to the hospital. The day following (the Sunday before last) a body of Catholics assembled at Park entrance, and would undoubtedly have done some miechief were it not for the masterly tactics of the police, under Chief Detective-inspector Parker. Last Sunday, however, the crowd could not be restrained, and the result was regrettable. In the morning George Wise visited Birkenhead, taking up his stand no the Haymarket, and lecturing a huge crowd, the collection resulting in XlO. The police arrangements were ample, a strong body of local constables being supported by an equally strong detachment from Liverpool, the members of which dined at Whittaker's restaurant in order that they might be in attendance at Kensit's afternoon meeting. The morning demonstration was enthusiastic, but orderly, nothing resulting. Shortly before three o'clock in the afternoon large crowds began to assemble at the Park entrance, and it was very soon obvious that the people vere not so peaceable as in the morning. The fact that the public-houses had just closed possibly had something to do with it. The police did not seem to be so strong numeiirally as in the morning, but this was easily explained when some persons observed that the motor car works close to were being used as an ambush by the Liverpool police, strategy which was commendable. Very fortunately the extra police were not needed, but this might easily have been the reverse. The arrival of it drum and flute band brought with it more people, and almost immediately afterwards the first fight started. This was in Trinity--street (which is at 'the side of the School of Art), and very _Quickly police were rushing to the spot. it men named I Morris was arrested, and carried along by I eight offieers. He refused to walk, and ' at first struggled violently, but to no avail. Arrests followed quickly, the meeting not being interrupted, and it soon appeared that the disturbance was being caused by la gang of young fellows, mostly from the neighbourhood of St. Anne-street. Fists and sticks were largely in evidence, and it says much for the police that they so fearlessly entered the fray. Conveying prisoners to the North End Bridewell provoked considerablo hostility, stones being thrown at the officers, and attempts made to rescue unsuccessfully. Women without hats caused a great deal or disturbance and made matters much worse than they would otherwise have been. Amongst those arrested were the brothers McKeever, who were quarrelling with one another in the crowd. The meeting came to an end shortly after four o'clock, and the preachers were escorted home by large crowds.  AT