GENERAL STRIKE JOTTINGS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1895, 1 November 1913, Page 6

GENERAL STRIKE JOTTINGS.

SCENES IN. THE CITY. \ v Orders were issued by the officers commanding tho various companies of tho Territorial regiments whoso headquarters aro in Wellington City that oil rifles and bayonets should be returned by moon yesterday. Tho order was generally obeyed, and large numbers of rifles and bayonets were roturncd to store. Several company commanders havo requested all their men who have enrolled as speoial constables, or who aro willing to act as such, to inform their commanding officer or their telographio address and telephone number. Photographers Not Wanted. There has boon a small army of photographers about the waterfront during tho last ,fow days, and several of them have succeeded in inourring the enmity of the strike pickets. One man who persisted in taking the photograph of several strikers who did not wish to bo taken had his camera taken from him for some time, and ho has been a marked man ever sinco. Another was conducted hefor'e tho Strike Committee for examination, but was eventually allowed to return with his camera. By Way of Protection. A non-striker, whose oooupation takes him into the troublo area a good deal, hit on an idea yesterday for protecting his head against possible blows. He is wearing a bowler hat Btuffed full of paper, whieh is sufficient to render even the most severe blow comparatively harmless. Idea By M.P. • *&• £• 0( Wobb < Qr<) y) ? avo notloe in the Honse of Representatives yesterday of his intention to move-; "That a Select Committee of this Houao be set up to hold a publio inquiry, take evidence, and report to this House concerning .tho conduct of the special constables and mounted police m connect/ion with their charge through tho prowd of citizens assembled in Post Office Square, and other incidents of yesterday (Thursday), in which the police were concerned, the committee to consist of: Messrs. Henries, Fraser, Russell, Hanan, Atmore, Isitt, Guthrie, Nosworthy, Dr. Newman, and the mcver." Gathering Galled for Sunday. Mr. G. 6." Parland informed a reporter yesterday that a meeting of representatives of all tho organised unions of Wellington city had been called for 10 a.m. on Sunday to discuss tho situation. He understood that esoh body would send two representatives. Up-Country coal. Mr. O. N. Clausen, ohairmaU of the Palmerston Coal Merchants' Association, _ reports numerous inquiries from Feilding and elsewhere for ooal which cannot bo supplied. The limited looal supplies are being doled out in Bmall quantities. Palmerston. however (says our local correspondent) is rathor fortunate ooncernirp' its coal which usually arrives via Foxton by fortnightly steamer. A steamer landed 600 tons a few da,ys ago, and no other vesßel ffas due in any caso for a fortnight.

Special Men From Marlon. At a meeting called by tlio Farmers' Union at Marton over a dozen farmers' sons and employees.enrolled as special constables for Wellington, and several aa labourers. Very short notice was given, and it is fully expected over 100 will be available by Monday. The Rata Da ry Company has 800 boxes of butter held up. The constables leave tomorrow .afternoon.—Press Association.. Wool Salo Postponed. The first wool sale of the season, whioh was fixed to bo held in Welling-. tpn on Wednesday nest, has been definitely postjxmed, ponding a settlement of the Btriko. Government's Aotlon Endorsed. A publio meeting, held yesterday after noon at Eketahuna, convened by the Farmers' Union, was_ largely attended. The following resolution was passed:— "That this meeting endorses tne action of the Government to maintain law and order, and pledges itself to do all possible to supply men and horses for Wellington." Tho volunteers enrolled include the president and vice-president of the local Fanners' Union, and local members of tho Provincial Executive. The Dairy Union's offer to allow tho closed butter factory in.Eketahuna to used for temporary cold storage foT dairy produce was received with acclamation.—Press Association.

Wharf Gates Fastened. , The Harbour authorities have deoided to trust no longer to ffioro lock and key to secure the wharf gates along the Jervois Quay and other Breastworks. Yesterday the gates were secured by iron, clamps, with half-inch bolts. The gates cannot bo opened until tho bolts aro unscrewed, and the clamps are strong enough to resist a great deal of force. Genoa Company's Arrangements. Mr. Charles Berkeley, manager of the Genoo and Eussian Ballet organisation, has resolved that his tour shall not bo interfered with as long as ho can prevent it. As tho Strike Committee would not permit him to ship the scenery to tho South to-day, he paid a visit to Christchurch on Thursday, arranged for other scenery and the building of a How false dancing-floor for tho stage, and returned to Wellington yesterday. As the Strike Committee are allowing tho drosses to go through as personal effects,' tho Bhow will not Buffer to any appreciable extent. Conoorn In southland. ; Tho possibility of the strike extendingto Southland is being discussed, says a. Press Association telegram from Invercargill. The watetsiders at the Bluff are not affiliated with the Federation of Labour, and so far they have not shown a disposition to strike. Tho Nightcaps miners, however, are affili- ; ated, and if they cease work there would bo a danger of a coal famine. The gasworks havo seven wooks' rosorvo of coal, but the tramways are not too well provided. ' Warning to Public Ycßterday Commissioner Cullen issued an appeal to the public to keep away , from tho Square altogether, and thus rendor tho task of tho police in maintaining law and order a little less difficult. The Mayor. (Mr. J. P. Luke) also hopes that people will not gather in the Square. The Fleet In the Bay. At proaont the following steamers are lying at anchor in the stream, in consequence to the strike:—Athenio, Corinthic, Rimntaka, Northern, Hercules, Maroro, Opawa, Kahu, Stonnbird, Aorere, Wakotu, Blenheim, Bimitangi, Ripple, Huts, Eapiti, Queen of: the South, Lizzie Taylor, Dorset, Kaiapoi, Pohorua, Wairuna, and Awahou. -1000 Spoolal Consta?!®., A very large number of special constables were sworn in yesterday! Some estimate tho total at 2000. The Mayor and two officers of tho Magistrate's Court were busy in the Mayor's room all day. At Hataitai citizens were onrolled as they got off tho trams. More enrolling will be done to-day. Tho Riot Act. It is understood that Mr. w! G. Rid' deli, S.M., who did not preside at yesterday's sitting of tho Magistrate's Oouii, ,wu ready, to read tho lliot Act

yesterday if at any time it was deemed necessary, Tho Fearless Goat. Yesterday afternoon a goat was ob« served walking aimlessly about tho Queen's Wharf. It was tho ship's pet from H.M.S. Psycho. Evidently tho animal had managed to get a&boro nn- 1 noticed, for an inquiry was made from: ™° warship as to its whereabouts. Billy paraded along tho wharf, he met patted-and spoko to liim. Ho inspected pickets and police alike, and even went as far as having a look at the Warrimoo berthed at tho end of the Queen's Wharf, Satisfied that everything was right as far as ho was concerned, "Biny' turned end, made for his ship in tie same leisurely fashion as ho caina ashore. Night Patrol launch. A launch,. without lights, inovsd In and put aniong tho various wharves last evening. It was the Harbour Board's patrol launch, on board of which were men who were keeping a careful look' out underneath tha various wharves, Ship's Stores Several of tie steamers have been receiving their stores fairly regularly. Yesterday a cartful of frcuon meatj jvbb sent, out to ono of the big Jlneri?' in tho stream, n Say That, Again!" / Yesterday a strike met trouble vert unexpectedly in Feathorston Street. A farmer was commenting on tho rise in the prices of commodities, and said that he would bring mon down from the Country to end the strike. "What!"' said a man standing by, "then you're a'. 'Boabl" "Say that again," said tho farmer, and ■. I'll knock you flat." "Scabl" called tho man, A flash of; the farmer's arm, and the mou was. prostrate on the ground. More Specials. ' Superintendent Ellison states that 400 or 600, more speoial men, would ar'rfvo in Wellington to-day. Defence storos CuardorJ. Tho Defence Stores at Mount Cook were under guard fast night, and it wai' noticeable that the mam'gate to tho' drill yard had been barricaded. Early, in the evening there was a rtimour that) trouhlo might eventuate at the stores. ' At the Police Station, The Central Police Station presented! l a very Unusual sight last evening. Men w-ero steeping everywhere on the floor, k their hoad| resting on their saddles. Seated on Loses and portmanteaux andi leaning against the wall were many* uniformed constables, all sound asloep Mbut all ready, for instant call. In tho yard tho horses stood ready saddled. Patrols of mounted men camo and wont' ©very few, moments. In the distriot office speoial constable? wero still being, sworn in, enrolling proceeded untP midnight. thousand Spoolsl Constables. Throughout Vostorday tho (Mr. J. P. Luie) was busy sweating in speoial constables at the Town Ha 11,., A steady stream of men kept calling in> bath morning'and afternoon, and it is ! now announced by tho authorities that' well over 1000 persons have been onrolled for Special servioe. Application*, for enrolment will still be received,,! however. The Noglcotod Square. The crowd in tho Bquafo prior to thf: - departure of last night's ferry steamer was smaller thin it had been for some o\eninge. About twenty .minutes to 8 o'clock there was a mow towards Lambton whore the ordinary train was about to arrive, from tfto/WsR '•' rarapa.. It came in at 7,50 p.m. with tho news that a party of "special constables, 1 ' who had landed at Lower Hutt. about tho tea, hour, Were on tho march, but no one know exactly whero they wore. With this little intelligence members of tho ttriko party set off to strengthen tho waiting crowd at tho Thorndon crossing, ana koop up what' proved to be a fruitless watch. Twenty-three Years Abo. It> was just 28 years itgo yesterday, Binqo the groat shipping strike was set" tied.. Aocording to the records, It,commenced on September 5, 1890, jipd end*ed on October 31. Ambulance Arrangements. Tho St. John Ambul&noo Brigado have made arrangements to be oh duty, to-day and on Monday in caso of eren-i tualities. They have secured the Start Boating Club as headquarters. Stationa' will bo fo<jd to-day, and all oases of accidents will bo promptly Attended to;'