The Shearers' Strike in Australia.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 53, 28 August 1894, Page 2

The Shearers' Strike in Australia.

SERIOUS CONDITION OF AFFAIRS. (Per Press Association.) Sydney, August 27. The shearing troubles have assumed a serious aspect along the Darling river. The steamer Rodney, which was conveying a number ot free labourers, was boarded by a number of masked men, who fired the vessel and eventually she sank. There were some 50 persons on board, but no lives were lost. The Government is in receipt of intelligence of an affray at Grassmere Station, where about 100 men from the Unionist camp inarched to the free laborers' huts and informed Sergeant McDonagh, who was protecting them with a force of police, that they were armed and wanted the free laborers, and further that thuy must have them at any cost. The Unionists then charged the huts and smashed in the doors. Several shots were fired from the huts during the melee, and two of the Unionists, named McLean aud Murphy, were badly wounded, the former critically. The Unionists retreated, carrying their wounded men with them, but were pursued by the police and several taken prisoners. Tho whole of the Darling district is in a disturbed condition. Six hundred and fifty men are camped at Wilcannia, where re-iuforcemeuts of police have been sent. A detachment of police has been sent to Broken Hill in anticpatiou of trouble in the big sheds there. This Day. Whcu three miles from Wilcannia five hundred Unionists intercepted the police conveying the wounded and prisoners from Grassmere station, and threatened bloodshed unless they were givou up. Tho police drew their revolvers, which cowed the mob, and the party roached the gaol safely. The Manuka woolshed was burned down. After seizing the steamer Rodney the Uuionists turned the Captaiu, crew, aud free laborers adrift in a barjje.