UNLOADING AT DUNEDIN

Press, Issue 14828, 20 November 1913, Page 8

UNLOADING AT DUNEDIN

WORK PROCEEDING SMOOTHLY

(SFECL.L TO "THE TRESS.")

DUNEDIN. November 19

The work of unloading the Moeraki proceeded quietly to-day. There havo been several additions to the number of men working, and it is expected tnat there will bo a further big increase tomorrow. Thero is plenty of work to occupy tho new union for ten days, the Taviuni (700 tons of coal), Kamo (800 tons of coal), and Waitorao (1200 tons of coal), being still full ships. Tho Victoria was moored between the -Moeraki and Taviuni this morning, and her discnargo will begin when labour is available.

The strength of the police on duty at tho barricades varies between twelve and twenty men, nnd these have hot been troubled in any way by the strikers, who havo loyally maintained an impassive attitude* that is not without dignity. The carrying from tno wharves yesterday was largely undertaken by Messrs Sponoer and Dunkley and the Empire Carrying Company. Some timo between- S and 10.30 last night, the windows of. both these nrra.s' premises were broken with road metal. Carrying was resumed by several firms witnout opposition to-day, and neither of tho firms whoso premises were injured attributes the act to actual strikers.

l*'or the last few uays tho officials of tho Post Office parcels department have been extremely busy. Many consignors who are unable to send goods by ship, have resorted to tho parcel post as a means of transmission, and the office has been fairly flooded with parcels of all descriptions, ono official estimating that twice the ordinary numbor of parcels are being received. There are about 150 mounted "specials" at Tahuna Park. Tho strikers have pickets posted, but is peaceful.

The Amokura's cadets had to coal the training ship to-day, no labour being available owing to the striko. Yesterday the Kaitangata Miners' Union forwarded £100 to Huntly to relieve the wives and children of the miners on strike. The ten per cent, levy decided "upon, is to operate upon to-morrow's r.-ages. and a reporter was authoritatively informed that further funds will be forthcoming if necessary.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) DUNEDIN, November 19. Work went on steadily on the Moeraki all day, and when operations ceased at 5 p.m. it was estimated that about SOO tons of cargo had been discharged from the vessel since Tuesday. It is expected that all the cargo will bo got out of the Moeraki by 10 a.m. tomorrow. „' .' .

This evening an Arbitrationist worker who had the hardihood to come along by the cross wharf was struck on the cheek as he was stepping off the wharf to go up Rattray street. The man ran for the protection of two policemen, and after remaining there for several minutes, was surrounded by a number of strikers and. made tho subject of some heated persuasion. Shortly after, a loud cheer intimated that the Arbitrationist had succumbed to the pickets and did not intend to return to the Moeraki next morning. Half a dozen carpenters employed on the Kamo at Port Chalmers refused to take some material to the steamer from the Union Company's store.and were promptly dismissed; It is understood that the men form part of a minority of the Shipwrights'" Union who were dissatisfied with tho decision not to strike. It is said that the men are endeavouring to get another meeting of the union with a view to getting others to strike.

The Bootmakers' Union has voted £50 to the local striko relief fund.