SEVERE CONFLICT IN CITY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1899, 6 November 1913, Page 8

SEVERE CONFLICT IN CITY.

MANY INJURIES. THE CHARGES ON THE RIOTERS. : HAIL OF ROAD METAL. SEVERAL ARRESTS EFFECTED. ' Early yesterday morning it becamo known on the waterfront that tlio authorities had determined that the horses engaged in tho New Zealand Cup meeting, which opens at Christchurch on Saturday n«xt, should be shipped South. Tho Union Company's steamer Maunganui, which arrived from 'Sydney in -the early hours ,of the morning, was commissioned to act as ferry steamer for tho occasion. The decision was communicated to the Strike Committee, and, it is understood, they, readily gave their permission. Ono of the pickets, who has been on guard at the gates of the Queen's Wharf ever since the trouble commenced,' told a reporter at midday that he had instructions to allow tho passago of the horses. It ap-; peared, however, that the influence of the Strike Committee with tho rank and file of the strikers, and those who have attached themselves to the unionists, in the hope of seeing trouble, did not bear much weight. It was perfectly obvious that, as soon as operations were commenced, 1 there would be serious trouble. Mounted Mtn Cot Ready. Anticipating this trouble, tho police authorities had tho full force of mounted constables now in camp at Mount Cook paraded, in readiness to combat any opposition which might be offered. As time went on, a largo crowd began to gather in the vicinity of Lambton Station, arid it became apparent that the wharves could not be kept clear enough to allow the horses to bo shipped in safety unless a strong guard was available. "Tho'force of special police was therefore moved from Mount Cook into the city at about 3 p.m., by which time the train convoying the horses from Trentham had arrived in Lambton Station yard. Impressive Paraoo. The Maunganui, which hail been lying at tho Queen's Wharf, was moved to tho Railway Wharf, abreast of H.M.S. Psyche, and preparations were made for tho running of the horse trucks direct to her side. The forco of police which left Mount Cook numbered close on 1000, men, and pr«sented a most impressivo sight. The column took somo thirteen minutes to pass a. given point. The men had not got far on their way before they mcfl attack. In Ghuzneo Street and Upper Willis Street they were received by a hostile crowd, which stoned them. One of the men was wounded in the head, and two others were -unseated. They instantly regained their horses and rejoined tho ranks. At_ the corner of Ghuzneo and Willis Streets it was necessary for the men to charge the crowd threo or four times. The Hail of Road Metal. More was yet to come. As tho troop entered Featherston Street on the waterfront they encountered a very Fargo crowd of strikers and others, who obviously resented very strongly fheir appearance in the Btreets of tfio City. . When the column was passing each street corner they were subjected to a fusillado of stones and brickbats, many of the men and horses being struck. The contingent, , howover, kept steadily on its way until the Railway Wharf had almost been reached. By that time the conduct of t-ho crowd had become such that somo retaliation was absolutely necessary. At Johnston Street corner, the officer in charge of the rearguard ordered his men to turn their horses, and the crowd scurried along the sido streets out of harm's way. Warming To It. A similar • incident occurred at each corner until, Stout Street was reached, and the column camo alongside tho Government Railway Department Offices. By this time tho crowd had increased very considerably in numbers, and was momentarily becoming more violent. Tho rear ranks of tho column were subjected to a pitiless fire of stones, broken bricks, and billets of wood, the air being thick with missiles. It could hardly be expected: that the horsemen could endure this much longer, and suddenly the rear ranks wheeled round and galloped at the mob. Tho crowd fled in all directions, but as soon as the horsemen turned to rejoin ''-their comrades, tho, rioters reappeared on all -sides, and once more a shower of stones, broken bottles, bolts, and scrap-iron was directed at them. As the men galloped back they were followed by a nowling mob, and the hail of missiles never ceased. Time after time tho horsemen turned and dashed into the law-breakers, and on every occasion when they re-formed, the list of injured in their ranks had been increased. Many of the men were badly liurt, but they pluckily stuck to their horses, and when tho next call for action came, they were always in their places. The Grit, of a Mounted Man. One of the men was heartily cheered bv his comrades and the spectators for gallant action. In ono of the early charges ho was struck on the mouth and sustained a severe wound. Nevertheless, when the next call camo ho rode out with the other men, and when the troop returned he was seen to bo suffering from another wound on tho back of the head. Ho was advised to leave the ranks and have his injuries attended to. but declined to do so. "I saw- tho man who hit mo with a brick." he said, "and I am going to find liim.' ! ' The next time they rode out, lie went straight into tho heart of tie crowd and was instantly surrounded. His .comrades galloped back to their position, and he was loft all alono. Undaunted, he wheeled liis horso round, and putting in his spurs,

galloped clean through the crowd. With his "head on his horse's neck he dashed down the street and was mado the target for a perfect hailstorm of missiles. His horse was badly cut in the leg I by a broken bottle, but ho managed to regain his position in the ranks without further injury. It was indeed a gallant action. Foot Specials Paraded. Meanwhile the force of Bpecial foot police which had been enrolled in the city during the last week was hastily summoned, and some hundreds of clerks from the Government Buildings and business men from all portions of the city gathered together. ■ Tliey were mustered in the grounds of the Government Buildings under their chosen comI manders, and with drawn batons stood

ready for an instant call. As tho horse-, men swept down tho street in ono charge, four rioters rushed into tho gates behind the Government Buildings for shelter, and prepared to throw stones over the ionce, It was a case

of "out of -the frying-pan into tho fire," for tlioy were immediately pounced upon ■ by the special police inside the grounds, placed under arrest, and hurried to the Lambton Quay Police Station, just across the stret-. Arrests Effected. In the crowd' Were soverai detectives, who also succeeded in effecting arrests, and when the turmoil began to die away there was quite a small procession of prisoners on their way to tho cells. Ineluded among thorn was a tramway conductor, in uniform. Amongst tho others arrested was a woman, whose language had apparently involved her in trouble. On the grass of tho Government Buildings and of the Railway Department's offices, on tho other 6id-e of Featherston Street, the wounded of both sides wero being presented for treatment. The nurses who had been stationed at the Queen's Wharf in tho morning were hastened, along in motorcars, and tho men's injuries were attended to. Sfcimo of the special police had received very serious injuries. Practically in every case the wounds Were in the back of the head, showing that tho crowd had followed them, and thrown their missiles from behind, "Don't Strike Me." At ono stago the police observed some strikers behind a fence bombarding them with stones. A couple of constables jumped the fence, and made for them. In' the scatter which ensued, somo of the men could not get away, and miserably crouched and pleaded: "Don't strike me, don't strike me." Shipping tho Racehorsos. Wliilo the riot had been in progress the greater number of the special police had completely surrounded the Railway Wharf and the Lambton Station yards, blocking access from all points. Tho trucks containing the horses were tjicn brought from the yard on to the Railway Wharf, alongside the Maunganui, and tho operation of loading tho horses commenced. No opposition was offered by tho strikers—inueed, they could havo done nothing to prevent tho loading had they so wished. Harangued by Mr. Scmple. After the conflict had ceased, tho crowd surged round from Featherston Street into Waterloo Quay, where the leaders of tho strike had taken up their position on the loading platform of tho "U" shed. Hero an address was given by Mr. R. Semple, organiser of the United Federation of Labour. His harangue was considerably disconnected, and when it was finished his hearers wcro about as wise as to his actual meaning as they were when'- he commenced. On every side the question was asked, "Did he-mean that the horses should have gone, or did he not?" Mr. Semple made tho usual pretence of appealing to the strikers "to do no act which would allow the authorities an excuse to retaliate." It was useless for a crowd of unarmed men to oppose a forco of men armed with revolvers and batons. Then he wont on to say what ho thought the late Mr. Scddon might havo said on this occasion.' Ho then stated that they need not resort to force to win this figlit. They had other cards up their sleeves. Their organisation throughout the Dominion was perfect, and they could assuredly win tho fight without resorting to force. If free labourers loaded th'eso boats, tlio boats would never go out. It would bo sufficient to wait for this dorclopmcnt without resorting to violence. Ho appealed to strikers and sympathisers to go homo and havo their tea. If they did not they would only spoil their cause, and set back the victory which they iiad already won. They were "up against" a treacherous Government. The Strike Executive would not havo permitted tho shipping of these horses unless they had good reason to do so. They could lie assured that the matter had been given earnest consideration, and had been well reasoned out. ■

A voice: Gall the seamen and fi.romen out.

Mr. Semple: The seamen and firemen will be out very soon. A voice: They are taking a long timo about it. Why don't you hurry them up ? Mr. Semple: Tho first time scab commodities are loaded on the boats they will be out. Voices: What about the horses? Mr. Semple had nothing to sav on this point, but concluded'with another appeal that the strikers and supporters should immediately go to their homes and avoid further trouble. Peaceful Ride Back. The operation of loading occupied some considcraablo time. It was anticipated that when the police set out to return to the barracks they would be further molested. Tho strikers, however, tired of tho long wait, and as darkness began to fall set out for their homes. When tho streets were comparatively clear tho mounted men indulged in squadron drill, until such time as they received marching orders. These arrived at 7.15 p.m., and the whole force then set out along Custom House Quay. They passed the wharf about 7.30 p.m., but the Post Office Square was comparatively empty, and no serious trouble occurred. There was a little hooting, and several strikers threw nails sharpened at both ends,_ and bent in Giich a w»iy that one point would always be upwards. This doviee was intended to maim the horses. The troop proceeded along Jervois Quay and round the waterfront to Courtenay Place, and thence to Buckle Street. No trouble was met with on tho way, as this route avoided the dangerous quarter lying round Tarauaki Street. The men reached their quarters in safety after a most trying and sensational afternoon. Thirty Casualties. Owing to the extreme reticence of the police and the other authorities, it is impossible to say exactly how many petsons were injured in yesterdays affray. S'J far as can be ascertained,'the total number injured was about thirty. • Tho nurses of the St. John Brigade attended fourteen persons, all of whom had received ugly wounds. Some twenty members of the special polico forco were attended to at the Mount Cook Barracks last night by Dr. Tolhurst and the members of the Permanent Forco Ambulance Corps Most of the men were suffering from wounds on tho head or back, while ono or two had badly-lacerated hands. One of tho special men, who hails from Featherston, had been struck 011 tho head by a piece of wood, with >:ails projecting. He' was rendered unconscious, but recovered last night, and is now progressing favourably. Another special constable, from Eltham, had been struck on the head by a stone. Ho sustained a nasty gash and bruiso,_ but was progressing favourably last night. Frank Mussen, wharf labourer, 30 years, a resident of Tory Street, was struck by a baton. He was rendered

unconscious, but is now progressing favourably. This man* was injured in last Tuesday's molee _ in Post Office Square, when he was kicked by a horse. Three men, whoso names are supposed to be Kay, Hulbert, and Herbert, whose occupations and addresses are not known, were also struck by the batons of the mounted men. Particulars of tho other oases could not be obtained last evening. The List of Arrests. The police at Lambton _Q.ua)' Station refused to give any particulars of tho arrests effected during tho afternoon. It was ascertained, however, tlyit five men and ono woman wore arrested on a

charge of taking part in an unlawful assembly. Two other young men—including the tram conductor already named —wcro apprehended on a chargo of breach of the peace. These two allowed themselves to be so carried away by tho heat of their argument on economic questions that they camo to blows on tho street. William Johnston, a waterside worker, residing in Ghuzneo Street, was arrester} by a plain clothes constable on a charge of assaulting Senior-Sergeant Dew. As the special police were passing the Mount Cook Police Station on.their way back to tho barracks, after tho Featherston Street disturbance, Senior-Sergeant Dew, who was oii foot, was struck on the leg by a heavy piece of iron—the head-pieco of a draw-bar, which is used for replacing derailed cars on the rails. Wlien Johnston was arrested, on a chargo of having committed tho assault, ho was found to have in his possession a seveninch bolt, a piece of bar-iron two feet long, and a union book.