SERIOUS RIOT IN SYDNEY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 23 September 1890, Page 2

SERIOUS RIOT IN SYDNEY.

The removal of wool from Darling Harbour to the wool stores on Circular quay led to an uproarious soeues on *he morning of the 19th. Several trollies loaded with wool, and guarded by a force of mounted police and special constables, was surrounded by fully three thousand strikers. Stones were freely used, and a number of windows in the houses and shops in George street were smashed. Whilrt attempting to make an arrest of one of the rioters, a piece of blue road metal was thrown at a constable. The miHfi'o missed its mark and struck a member of the Union '

a terrible blow on the head. The man was sc seriously injured that his removal to the Haspitul was con* sidered advisable.

The news of the row rapid 'y spr al, and consequently the cr.>wd increased at every moment. On reaching Circuutr quay tha disturb nee had become a > serious that the Riot Act wa« read au'l the mourned police charged r.he mob A scene of the wildest confusion ensued, and one or two men were driven into the sea but were fortunately rescued Special constables poured in from all parts of the city, aud eventually the strikers were driven back and the wool unloaded. There were numberless broken heads and several of the police received nasty cuts and bruises. The wool trollies, against which the demonstration was mad**, were being driven by several prominent wool merchants, who had adopted this course of carrying on their business owing to the carters having gone out on strike. It is estimated that there were 10,000 peope on the Circular quay during the height of the disturbance. Seven arrests have been made for breaches of the peace. ' There is great excitement throughout the city, and a feeling of uneabiness prevails. The Hon. W. McMillan, Colonial Treasurer replying ti a deputation of citizens who waited upon him immediately alter the riot was quelled, said the Government had been pre, pared all along for whatever might eventuate, but they had now arrived at a different stage — in fi.ct, a kin<i of self made revolutionary Government had been set up, and it would, therefore, be necessary for the Government to take such steps as would secure individual liberty The situation, he admitted, could not bo more grave than at present and he assured the deputation that the Government were prepared to take even the most extreme stepß for the purpose of maintaining order Over 2q arrows took place in conneotion with the riots.