THE ADELAIDE RIOTS.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 648, 15 March 1870, Page 4

THE ADELAIDE RIOTS.

The Adelaide papers of the 2nd inst. contain particulars' of the disturbance created by the unemployed workmen of that city on the previous day. "Shortly before 12 o'clock," says the Register, "a crowd of men, consisting chiefly. of strong, healthy -looking, able-bodied laborers, collected opposite the Treasury buildings. As it soon became evident that mischiif was intended, the police were summoned, and about 20 men, under Inspector Bee, made their appearance. Their services were soon called into requisition, for several score of men rushed into the Government offices, and commenced ascending the staircase, shouting, howling, and vowing vengeance \ipon the Government, The constables placed: themselves iv the way, and attempted to clear the passages, but their united strength was unequal to the task, and a number of the civil servants, who had been attracted to the spot by a specjaole so unusual ii the quiet retreats of the -Government offices,, went to their assistance. By sheer strength the latter succeeded in expelling laborers and the police indiscriminately, and then all the doors were securely bolted. Exasperated by the; defeat; of their attempt to gain the presence °f c Ministers, the assemblage endeavored to I hustle the Com mission er of Public Works. :The Commissioner of Police interposed j arid Mr Ooltoh' judiciously retired. Mr Hamilton -then, as a precautionary mea- : sure, sent for a body of the mountsd . police. This order was promptly carried out, and half a dozen troopers, under In- , spector Searcy, took up their position at the corner, of Waymou.h street, to be ready in case of emergency. At half-past one a band of about 50 men, marshalled with something like regularity, marched along King' William street, and directed their course for the Treasury. More than a score of polioemen essayed to hold the steps against- then), ,. but were pushed aside, and a most- vigorous effort was made to drive ift'the Treasury door, which shook before the pressure broiight to bear against it, police forthwith grappled with their assailants, prominent : amongst whom was a determined looking muscular fellow, who (evidently was" regarded as the leader of the band. As the men showed fight the police drew their truncheons, and a geueral melee was imminent. At this moment the mounted troopers, under Inspector Searcy, advanced at a hand gallop, and speedily cleared the pavement opposite the Government block. Several of the men made a semblance of resistence, but they were forced to beat a retreat. The crowd nforrned opposite the old and new postoffice buildings, whither they were followed by the troopers, who found it ■■ necessary occasionally to use the flat of their swords. to clear the way before them. Stones began to fly freely, and shutters were put up in some of .the. neighbouring shops. Thepolicaultimatelycalledupontho bystanders to arrestoiie or two of the ringleaders whom they indicated, and by 2 o'clock the men were secured, although not; "without much trovible. In the "strjiggle, which for the titue. being , looked far too; much like a real riot to' be at all pleasant, . a few of the unemployed were wounded; by the polifce, but hot. seriously. On the: other hand the if pbpers did not escape; unharmed. Irispeictof Searcy was struck: in the temple with a stone, arid his horse: fell under him. Trooper Tirrell had his : right arm cut, with a stone it is supposed. ; Trooper .Humphreys was struck on the; back of the head, and lay insensible on; his horse's heck for several seconds.; -" It was reported that an attempt was- to; be made on Tuesday night to rescue the. 1 prisoners confined 1 in the cells, and com-' plete precautions were taken to prevent! 'tfie tuccp;ss ; ;of\the;- scheme; ; but altiiotigh; a number of people ' assembled in the: streets, and keiit?alive the memory . of .the supremely .absurd proceedings of the; aftemqon s .there ; ,was no renewal of th disturbance.". v , , , •. ■ '.' '