Canada.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 26, 31 January 1844, Page 3

Canada.

By the Ituna we bave received the Montreal Courier of the 17ib Jnne, trom which we learn that trade of every description was in a very had state, and that riots of a very serious description, had taken place between the workmen on ihe Beauliantois canal, which leaves cause to fear that the disturbance •* of a more serious character than was at first imagined, and that it had, not been effectually suppressed. The cause of the riot was a strike for wages. Tbe pay previously received by the men was 2s t>d per day, hours from five in the morning to seven in the evening ; they demanded 3s a day, and hours from six in the morning to seven ; the whole number employed beiijg about 3000. When the conflict took place tile workmen assembled are slated at 2000 men. The troop* wen- drawn up under the gallery of GrAnt’ft Hotel, at St. Timothy, about 100 paces from the load, and within s gin of thu canal, the in'antry in the centre, and the cavalry on either flank. The rioteta were* led by a man dressed in a blue ftock coat and straw hat. and they advanced, flourishing their club*, within twenty paces of the Hoops. After being twice warned to disperse, the troops weie ordi red to fire, and simultaneously the dragoon* charged through them. Eight were killed ; eight or nine besides, pursued by the cavalry, leaped into the St. Lawn nee. and bring carried down the rapids, were !»•«. About twenty,were wounded, and many more it i* expected have died in the woods. The rioter* » e • ill standing out, and are said to be “drilling in companies,” organised by some men formerly in the Upper Canadian Battalions of infantry. They are represented to be possessed of 600 stand of arms, and ten barrels of gunpowder. Ao attempt had been made to decoy a party of troops, and to de*troy them, which was frustrated by ihe prudence of Major Campbell. No lest than 147 men, well armed, lay in amba*h, ready to overpower the troop*, had they come by the route,and at the lime expected. A further leinforceim-nt of military had been sent, and the troops are kept under aim with loaded pieevs day and night.