FISTS IN ARGUMENT;

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1890, 27 October 1913, Page 4

FISTS IN ARGUMENT;

ENCOUNTERS AND PURSUITS, Since tho outbreak of the strike there have been several reports of people being cliased by small crowds of strikers and their friends. On Friday evening a small boy in knickerbockers was chased by some strikers who wore under tho impression that he was a strike breaker. The lad made a dash for Feathcrstoji Street and sought refuge in an office there. .Notwithstanding the fact that they were invading private property, several of tho strikers rushed up tlie stairs after. their quarry to tlio alarm of those who wero in the offices at the time. , Strikers wore no respecters of per- . sons, not even if they belonged to unions' other 'than their own. A fireman on one of tho steamers in port was held up by a few and asked his business oil/tho wharf. Tho strikers began handling' him, but he was a powerful mail. Ho was handy with his fists also, as soma of his interrogators found to their cost. Having cleared a. way for himself the fireman walked, quietlv aboard his ship. While tho soap-box orators were holding sway on Saturday a carrier on one occasion, pulled up his horse and said something in opposition to .the strike. Immediately a striker caught 'hold of tho horse's head and led tho animal and conveyance out of tho mild tumult. ■ , < '(Force ain't argument," was a remark passed by one striker to another as lie'picked'himself up from tho dust. From what could bo gathered tho striker who had been, sent to earth had passed somo remark in reference to tlm strike which evidently was not appreciated—hence the "argument." • On Saturday afternoon a free worker boldly asserted that ho had "scabbed." The,trouble that his defiance evoked was put down by pickets and leaders, but six men were ordered to lollow the frco labourer, whilst tho leaders endeavoured to hold tho rest of tho crowd back. It was no use, however, and away they rushed after their quarry. The crowd caught, him up in Hunter Street, and a melee resulted. As the man' as Well able to use his fists, lie beat off his persecutors, ancl made for the Bank of New Zealand corner, followed by a jeering crowd of strikers. Another, man, who happened to be passing, patted the free* labourer on tho hack. This was tho 'signal for uproar, and tho newcomer was jostled and pummelled, and liis hat knocked off and kicked along the street. Meanwhile tho strike-breaker had jumped on a cftr, and tho.mob. discovering this, gave chase along tno street. They caught up with the car, and endeavoured, without success, to null the man out. The frco man and the "workers" were carried off up tho street.