Rioting in QueeHlland.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 24 March 1891, Page 2

Rioting in QueeHlland.

The latest news from Queensland comes through the capital Brisbane and is of a very disquieting nature. The trouble is going ahead at a con* siderable distance away from head quarters, as it in itatea to be near Clermont, which lies on the tropic of Capricorn, whilst firi^bane lies close on 801 miles further South. There is no railway communication between the capital- and this district, it being served by a line of railway running due west from its port, Roekhahiptott, to within seventy miles o( Barcaldine. At a point, called Emerald, some 150 miles out of Brisbane, a loop line leaves for Springsure on the South and Capella and Clermont on the Forth. Along this iifle ah attempt was made to wreck a special train by placing logs across the rails, and the telegraph wires were also cut, and it was at Capella that 800 Unionists on Friday took possession of ' the place and compelled the publicans to supply them with free drinks, after which they proceeded jto j - desjto^wjfrie telegraph line ;^r^^W^^pid wound up by setting ;^|e^^p^3ptity of goods belonging tjo'im^mm&j Department. ■yy _ * . : The Clermont district appears to be a well favoured spot being, practically a large valley some 20Q miles long by 100 to 150 miles wide, almost surrounded by the Denham, Carnarvon and Expedition Ranges, and watered by the river Mackenzie and its very many tributaries. Still further news from the disturbed districts states that a body of some 80 Unionists visited Lome station, near Blackall, a small township in the Mitchell County, on the Barcoo river, about 60 or 70 miles in a direct line from Barcaldine, and while the manager of the station was interviewing them in the woolshed the building was set on fire, and the flames obtaining a good mastery it was soon burnt to the ground. . All the grass between Lome and Tenfck stations has been fired, and the^"* 1 Unionists have lit several grass fires in the vicinity of Barcaldine. Barcaldine is evidently a centre for the Unionist shearers and it is reported that a number of about 1200 are drilling every day there, The Rockhampton infantry have been oalled out on aotive service, and will leave at once for the scene ofthe 1 trouble. The Government have ordered the 1 leaders of any party offering intimidation to he arrested. 1 All shearers have been ordered to 1 lay down tools on 23rd March. The Unionists continue their threatening attitude in the country 1 districts. Yesterday a large force surrounded ! a contingent of free shearers, and 1 the assistance of the police, had to be ! called into requisition. The Unionists were ordered to withdraw, but refused, and the police and mounted infantry then fixed bayonets and attempted to disperse the mob. | For some minutes it appe^xexLJia-.. ' minent that the troopswonld be.compelled to fire, but after several 5 ' kti tempts to break through their ranW " the shearers drew off, {'i"'U'