GENERAL JOTTINGS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1892, 29 October 1913, Page 8

GENERAL JOTTINGS.

THE SQUARE AT MIDNIGHT. . ■ Up till nearly 11 p.m. yesterday a cro'wd of over two hundred men were gathered in the Square. Tho strike, the conference, and what they thought would happen on tho morrow were tho topics. Shortly before 11 p.m. Mr. H. Simmonds, vice-president of the union, made tho following announcement: "A meeting of the union will bo held at 8.30 to-morrow morning (Wednesday), when the decision of the committee will be given to you. That is all I have been sent down to tell you. Wo will bo deliberating for about four hours on these things (meaning; no doubt, tho employers' proposals). It is not.olir place to come down hero and tell you what iva are going to do." When Sir. Simmonds ha'd finished the crowd gradually dwindled away, and, when midnight came, all were out in tho union offices, tho Square was deserted, and only Harbour Board patrol men, the strike pickets; and tho > policemen remained. All was quiet for a t|me at least. Herses and Free Labour, Twenty-eight horses were railed from tho Wairarapa to Wellington yesterday far tho uso of tho police, and scores of others are under offer. Our ton correspondent states that there is great indignation throughout the district at tho prolongation of tho strike, which is calculated to seriously affect tho butter industry. Men aro to be enrolled to-morrow to proceed to Wellington ns free labourers, and it is expected that two ,or three hundred will be available at once. All One Body We. Mr. G. G. Farland. secretary of the Watersido Workers' TJnion, told a rer porter yesterday afternoon lliat the men's vote on shipping the racehorses to Lvttelton was carried unanimously. Mr. Farland also stated that tho meeting had passed a unanimous vote of confidenco in their leaders and the executive. Tho union would stand together, and they were determined not to bo cocrced- by the employers. An undivided front would bo presented, and there were no divisions among tho members. Farmers Coming. A contingent of about eighty Feild* ing farmers, their sons, and others, is being organised hero to go to Wellington to work on the wharves. It ;s considered that 700 men can bo got from the Manawatu district for the pur-pose.—^-Press Association.. ' A Little Humour. The Manawatu Flax Workers' Ex«mtive passed resolutions congratulating tho watersiders on theirsolidarity, and offering any assistance in their power. In response't;o Commissioner Culleu's appeal for horses, it was decided to offer to provide tho watersiders withs horses. Sympathy was also expressed witli tho Huntly' miners.—Press Association. Watiganul Feeling. The Wanganui watersiders have no sympathy with tho Wellington strike, being sturdy upholders of tho Arbitration Act, but nevertheless they are feeling tho effect of it, coastal shipping being tied up. They aro at present without work and the wharves aro almost deserted both by ships and men. Many of tho men are finding temporary employment- elsewhere. Pickets at Petono. The supply of coal at Petono and Hutt can only last a few days longer unless a settlement of tho watersiders' strike takes place. Several pickets visited Petono yesterday and after a survey of tho sewerage drains, probably to seo if any of their number were working there,- they picketed tho wharf. It has been suggested that this latter move was made in the event of coal or timber being landed at Petono: Othor Events. ' Some of tho smaller steamers at anchor in the harbour have perishable cargo in their holds—food supplies indvded. An attempt was made to unload certain pprishn.blo cargo from tho steamer Blenheim into a launch, and to take it ashore at Oriental Bay. Pickets rii&covcred this move, with tho result that tho shipment was returned to tho Blenheim. The crows o ftho steamers Stormbird a.nd Huia were discharged yesterday.