AFFAIRS AT WAIHI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 518, 16 November 1912, Page 5

AFFAIRS AT WAIHI.

DEATH OF EVANS. CONSTABLE WADE RECOVERING. Information from Waihi states that Frederick Webb Evans, the striker who was clubbed by Constable Wade, died on Wednesday night without recovering consciousness. During the strike Evans acted constantly as storekeeper in the union store, and he was known among his fellows, and even to the police authorities, as a quiet, unassuming young man. He it was who consulted he Inspector of Police as to just what procedure would be considered reasonable as "peaceful picketing," and his manner made a favourable impression upon the officer. Evans also acted at times as correspondent to the official paper of the Federation, and it waß said that he had previously had some experience in press work in Australia. CONSTABLE WADE INTERVIEWED. Interviewed on Thursday morning at the hospital, Constable Wade, who, although mending, is still very weak, but in good spirits, said when the crowd got opposite the office door of the Miners' Union Hall, workers and some strikers were having hot words. He heard a Bhot fired, and immediately ran into the passageway, at the same time telling the foremost of the workers to stand back. Constable Wade rushed through towards the folding doors, from which, he states, he saw Evans fire, being under the impression that the shot was fired direct at him. Constable Wade chased Evans out of the back of the hall on to a vacant alloment, and was gaining fast on the fugitive when the latter swung round and, the constable asserts, fired point blank, the bullet striking him in the abdomen. Constable Wade continued the chase, and, drawing his baton, before Evans could start off again, struck him on the head, Evans falling flat on his face. Then the crowd took charge. FEDERATION MANIFESTO. Wellington, Thursday. A manifesto has been issued by Messrs Webb, Semple and Glover, on behalf of the Federationists, giving their version of recent events in Waihi, but it is of a nature which does not lend itself to telegraphy. It contains accusations of theft, an aspersion against the police and other people, and a number of similar statements which are not covered by the law of libel, and makes frequent use of the offensive term "scab."