EEPING THE KING'S PEACE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1900, 7 November 1913, Page 8

EEPING THE KING'S PEACE.

YESTERDAY'S PARADE,

CHANGE OF TUNE BY STRIKERS

GUARDING THE WHARF-lIEAD,

Quite a- peculiar air of quietness pervaded the waterfront- yesterday, and the thronged Post Office Square during the morning. There were many who believed that tho attempt to work the Athenic would prove a canard. The afterlioou, however,' saw another sight. Shortly before midday tho mounted specials at Buckle Street were ordered to stand by their 'horses. Squads according to the district of ori"in wore formed up, and at the word of command some 600. flung "into tho saddle, took hold of their batons, and forming in two divisions, left the barrack yard. Between, them abmit 180 specials—the Wairarapa men on foot ift charge of Captains Cameron and Barton —formed into line four abreast, and marched in good order, batons in hand. Th© idea of having a force on foot had been arranged in order to deal more- effectively with the stone-throwers among the strikers and their sympathisers, tho men- being determined to follow up anyone who indulged in such _ tactics, en'n if -it meant chasing them into private houses or ferreting them out of business premises. But _ tho splendid show of force evidently had a salutary effect on the law-breakers. Tile sly metal-thrower did not appear, th© clandestine brick was conspicuously absent, and, practically without incident., the procession pursued its way by way of Taranaki Street, Jcrvois -and Customhouse Quays to Waterloo Quay, arriving them about 12.30 p.m. Among the. foot specials were members of the newly-formed Wellington Wharf Labourers' Industrial Union of Workers, whfl were to engage in the loading of the White Star liner Athenic, then in the stream. These were a

lusty body of farmers and farm labourers —men who wore being directly affect;ed by the holding Up of steamers. As tliei procession ma-da- its way at a moderate pace through the-City, there was noticeable a distinct change in the usual tune. Here and there a few "boos" came from small knots of strikers, but these were generally drowned in choruses of cheers ffom citizens. Blocking Off the streets. As it had been determined by the authorities that the members of the new 'union, should have adequate protection, ■the streets.Jn tho vicinity of Glasgow Wharf were quickly blocked off by the mounted specials from the intersection of Whjtmore Street to the south and Davis' Street to the. north on Waterloo Quay. Whitmore and Bunny Streets were also blocked off by mou'ntpd squads, and no one was allowed through the fines who could not give a satisfactory reason. In tho meantime the foot specials were dismissed from oompany order, and stood about in groups on the wharf discussing the situation. Prim their conversation it was gathered that thoy were considerably cheered by the reception that had been accorded them oil their march through the city, and the fact that the time had arrived for some definite, action- respecting tho reopening of the port. Some of tho men bore evidence of the previous onslaughts of the road metal brigade. , The Towel Device. It' was. noticeable that nearly every man had a doubled-np white towel round his well. This was to protect the neck as far as possible from the effects of road-metal. It formed a soft pad, at once clean, comfortable, and protective. Arsother protection generally adopted was the wearing of a folded nowspapar or grass in tho hat. As most of tho attacks on tho specials had been from behind, the paper-padded hat, cocked well-back on tho head,' seemed to form an excellent protection.