AN ANXIOUS DAY IN WELLINGTON

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14829, 21 November 1913, Page 10

AN ANXIOUS DAY IN WELLINGTON

" SOMETHING IN THE WIND."

POLICE TAKE NO RISKS

EXTRAORDINARY PRECAUTIONS

(btkc::i. td "the tress.")

WELLINGTON, November 20

To-day has been a day of considerable excitement, although it was not marked by any outstanding incident so far as the conduct of the strikers in the streets was concerned. This was probably due entirely to the extraordinary precautions taken by th© police to prevent any possibility of disorder.

During the morning there was a very persistent rumour around the •waterfront that the strikers intended to make some kind of a demonstration in the afternoon. As a meeting of members of the strikers' unions, with their wives, had been announced for 2.30 p.m., at the Vivian street Skating Itink, the general opinion was that the expected demonstration would take the form of a procession through the- city and along the waterfront. There were many who were inclined to think that something more serious was intended. NO RISKS TAKEN BY THE AUTHORITIES. In any case the authorities decided to take no risks. Shortly after 1 p.m. practically the whole of the mounted special police wero moved down from the Mt. Cook barracks into the city. Throughout the morning a strong patrol had been stationed in the Post Office square, and no one was allowed to stand for a moment in one place. Even persons not directly interested in the strike who paused to scan the notice boards outside the Union offices in Queen's Chambers in quest of news, were politely but very firmly told that they must keep moving. There were very few strikers to be seen in the street at any one time, although a fair number passed in and out of the offices during the morning. It is at this particular period' of the day that meal tickets are distributed to the impecunious. STRONG GUARDS. "When the "specials" were concentrated in the city in the, early afternoon a strong detachment was stationed in the square, and the Post Office was almost completely surrounded. A very strong guard was set' at the entrance to the Taranaki street wharf, where the Dorset was putting the final touches on her loading for the south. This wharf is the first point on the waterfront which is reached by anyone coming down from Vivian street by way of Taranaki street —the shortest route. All the streets leading to the wharves had their quota of mounted men, the squads being so disposed that they could be concentrated- at any point in a very short space of time. The various streets lying between Vivian street and the Mount Cook Barracks were also closely watched, two OT three vigilant eentinels being placed at every corner. The organisation was complete, and should a mob have attempted a movement towards any part of the city, a sufficient force to meet it would have been available on the spot in a very few minutes. SPECIAL FOOT POLICE PARADES. While the mounted men were being moved into their positions an urgent message was cent to the city, special footpolice to parade immediately at Government buildings. Many of the men to whom the summons was' sent had spent the whole of the previous night on the wharves, but the order was willingly obeyed, and several hundred men were soon ready for action. Detachments were told off to protect the various public buildings, but the majority of the "specials" were marched on to the wharves, where they waited patiently throughout the afternoon. Commissioner Cullen, Superintendent Ellison, Inspector Hendrey, and Sub-Inspector Sheehan, were all at the chief point of vantage—tho square— while officers of the mounted force clattered about the streets carrying orders. THE STRIKERS' MEETING. Whether or not the strikers had intended any move, none was made. A crowd waited outside the Skating Rink throughout the afternoon in anticipation of seeing "fun," but they were disappointed. A burst of cheering shortly before 5 p.m. announced that the meeting was over. The strikers poured out into the etreet. did not wait outside, but quickly dispersed and moved off in threes and fours in the direction of Cuba street, away from tho streets in which the "specials" were stationed. In about half an hour the locality wore an ordinary every-day appearance, and there was nothing to indicate that a big strike meeting had been held anywhere in the vicinity. A tour round the streets showed that the guardians of law and order were still standing patiently at their posts. The only exception was at the Taranaki street wharf, where an extra large force was in position. Those not actually on guard took their horses into the Corporation yard and indulged in jumping exercises, singly, in pairs, and in sections. An onlooker could not but admire the quality of the mounts and the superb horsemanship of the men. . "ALL QUIET." At 5 p.m. the word'went round "All quiet, , ' and the "specials" were moved off to their quarters. The mounted men did not proceed to Mt. Cook in • one body, as is usually the case, but split •up into several detachments, each of which took a different route. Large crowds watched the passing of the troops, but there was no disturbance. It was noticeable that the country foot "specials," who accompanied the detachments which went via Taranaki street and Tory street respectively, marched up the pavements on each side of the horsemen. The last troop entered the barracks about G p.m., having met with no molestation. It was a very quiet ending to a day of no little anxiety.