THE OBSCURED BLR IN THE RADIO GALAXY 3C-234

We present spectropolarimetric observations of the radio galaxy 3C 234 at optical and, for the first time, near-IR wavelengths. In agreement with previous observations we detect broad Hu in total and polarized flux, consistent with the scenario in which the central active nucleus is hidden from view and observed via scattered radiation. We model th e flux and polarization properties at optical and near-IR wavelengths, which result in a point-source, cone-based scattering geometry in the optical, and an extended source scattering in the near-IR, with a dic hroic view to the emission regions, which becomes important only at th e longer wavelengths, From this model we calculate an intrinsic H alph a luminosity of 4.9 x 10(44) erg s(-1), and an extinction to the near- IR emission region of 60 mag for A(V). The scattered radiation also un dergoes extinction, this time by 1 mag for A(V), assuming a source fun ction of a typical stellar-subtracted Seyfert 1 galaxy. Our modelling does not require the presence of a second featureless continuum (FC2). Additionally, we require that the scatterers are in bulk radial outfl ow at approximately 600 km s(-1) to explain an observed increase in po larization of the scattered broad H alpha line in the red wing, and bl ueshifted narrow-line components in polarized flux.