"SPECIALS" DISBANDED.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14844, 9 December 1913, Page 8

"SPECIALS" DISBANDED.

. (press association telegram.) AUCKLAND, December 8. The whole of the foot "specials'" were relioved from tho duty of guarding the •*|_ wharves this morning, the Harbour §_'■■ -Board now accepting that responsibil- '■'• - ity. A further number of the Board's employees have been sworn in. Tho - Superintendent of Police retains a .... small number of mounted "specials " which, with the regular police, will te sullicient for the preservation of law .. and order. The rule as to admission to tho wharves by ticket has been retained, and admission will bo confined to persons having legitimate business. Before the foot "specials"' were dis- . banded Mr J. H.Gunson, chairman of thef Harbour Board, expressed warm' appreciation of their services in a time _ - of grave emergency. He also thanked *. Polico Superintendent Kiely, who had - . proved a wise and experienced officer, ;, and expressed the appreciation and k ■ ' thanks of the Board for the services i- performed by the regular police. | • Superintendent Kiely commended the "specials'* for the part they had & played in the campaign against lawlessness and "disorder. •■ He expressed the '!"'•*" .opinion that nono would be found dis- - , loyal should occasion arise for their return to tho city. Cheers were given for Superintendent Kiely and the officers of the Har- " bour Board. -Work is proceeding steadily on vessels alongside the wharves. - The attitude taken up by members of the new union in "blackballing* all •watersiders who went, on strike is the subject of some discussion among shipping people. The opinion generally expressed is that the position wiil - .gradually right itself. There are a large number of men who do not intend to remain on tho wharves permanently, , -*'■;. and when they go away, it is thougiit ■v'-v.". that tho old ; watersiders -whose refer--I'.-'V'j ences are satisfactory will be admitted -"":? without any trouble.