DUNEDIN BLOCKADE OVER.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1910, 19 November 1913, Page 9

DUNEDIN BLOCKADE OVER.

t— ■ WORK ON S.S. MOERAKI. MOB SMASH WHARF BARRICADE. WHARF. LIGHTS PUT OUT. (By Telegraph.—Presß Association.) Dunedln, November 18. Work began on the Dunedin wharves 'this morning. No special men were used, and tho police on duty had no troublo. Tho strikers behaved well. Just on 4 o'clock this morning the Railway Station was the scene of a highly significant gathering. . Men with workmen's kits under their arms formed tho centre of the group. It was tho miclous of a band of workers co-operating-with the employers to break the strike. Tho massing of tho men had been planned with the utmost secrecy. They had been notified of the hour and place of rendezvous only a few hours earlier, and yet the strikers' pickets were therewith the first arrivals and assumed the office of "peaceful persuaders" wSth sorao effect, for, when Superintendent Dwyer formed his 30 regular polico to convoy the workers to tho scene' of operations, only 28 out of 50 men camo forward. The others had succumbed to the persuasion of the pickets outside the 6tation. Ono of the strikers brought the convoy \ip with tho word "halt," and Sub-Inspector Fouhy seized him, but the Superintendent intervened, how*nd the striker vf'- teleasod,

There wcro 100 men at the head of theRattray Street Wharf, and tbo appearance of the police convoy was tho signal for.a vocal demonstration.

Wharf Arc Lights Put Out. . The barricado to tho Birch Street Wharf has ceased to exist, as just after 9 o'clock last night, a big crowd proceeded, with much noisy demonstration, to demolish the hastily-built obstruction. Tho most anxious moment for masters of vosscls' lying at' the wharves was an hour' later, when tho wharf arc lights suddenly flickered and went dead out. Masters were- fearfu: that, unclor cover of darkness, the mooring'lines might bo cut undetected, and sabotago of a serious -nature undertaken. Those fears proved groundless, however. The persons who gained access to the harbour switchboard, and smashed the switches, were evidently only making a demonstration without ulterior motive. The port was opened without the use of any of tho fiOO stwials enrolled in the past few days. • The 28 unionists were reinforced by the Union Company's permanent wharf staff, so that at 8.15 a.m., when tho first sling was swung over tho side of the Moeraki there were '40 men at work. Three of the five hatches were opened, and the first sling released was a bale of gunny bags from the forward hatch. The Terminus and Wharf Hotels, immediately on the waterfront, received orders at 6 this morning to remain closed. At 11 a.m. half-a-dozen strikers left headquarters, arid proceeded to the barrier. They interviewed Superintendent Dwyer making a request that they should bo allowed inside to act as a peaceful picket" to patrol tho waterfront of tho Birch Street Wharf. Tho Superintendent declined permission, saying that he and-his-men were, there expressly to prevent anything of the kind, as it would possibly only lead to troublo._The deputation withdrew quietly. The Harbour Board's Dredge 404 lay at the Victoria Wharf coaling from] a hulk alongside in preparation for starting on her trit) to Melbourne to-morrow. The work was accomplished by the Harbour Board's permanent staff, and proceeded without any interruption. .--.•_■■

Mobbing the Carters. Excitement began to crop tip this afternoon when .the work of carting goods away from the wharf began. The crowd lined, the end .of "Wharf Street nearest to Rattray Street, and here drivers had' to run the gauntlet. One of the earliest carts ,to get away was carrying chests of tea, and two of these were knocked off into the road, but the strike pickets, it is understood, ordered these to be. replaced, and this was done. A couple of the police cordon at the barrier were withdrawn, and, soon after their appearance,on the scene, the cart got'safely through, but on the police officers returning to the barrier, each fresh cart that pame past had to mate way through a howling, hootmjj group, and two in particular had an unpleasant experience." As the drays and expresses returned empty for further loads they were greeted with some vehemence. 1 hey made their way through, however, with no more actual molestation occasional attempt by some apostle or moral suasion to mount the step and argue with'the driver. : Such splendid progress has .been made with the discharge of the Moeraki that attentions to other are already receiving consideration, The HuddartParker steamer Victoria will come up from Port Chalmers to-morrow- morning, and after the Moeraki is discharged (about 4 o'clock to-morrow, afternoon) sho will make room for the Corinna. There was no sign of defection amongst the Dunedin watersiders to-day. Now and again during the' morning one •could hear .the headquarters , accordeon playing livelyVt'ui)et.„rKsjdj^he ( :.d<?or;i? r , a notice that no.intoxicated person will be allowed on the. premises, nor is any liquor to be taken .in. To-night the new workers will be billeted on the Moeraki. The Mokoia was docked at Port Chalmers this afternoon for cleaning and painting, the work being performed by the Union Company's permanent staff -without interference. Prominent heads of departments were to be seen in dungarees and overalls, and, in company with their respective staffs, they took a full share in the ficrubbins work.