Shewing Troubles.

Manawatu Herald, 30 August 1894, Page 3

Shewing Troubles.

Shearing trdubles have assumed a Bferioua aspect along the Darling Iliveti *** The steamer Rodney conveying a number of free labourers was boarded by a band of masked men, who §red the vessel, which eventually sank """ Th,ere were some 80 person's oh board; but no lives were lost; The Governriieiit }| irt receijit of ihfeeliigehce of an aftray at Grassmere Station, where about 100 men from tfw Unionist camp marched to the free labourers* huts and informed Sergeant McDonagh, who was protecting them with a force of police, 'that they were armed and wanted the free labourers, and, further, that they meant to have them at any cost* The Unionists then charged the huts and smashed in the doors* McDonagh was assaulted. Several shots were fired froni the huts, during the melee, and two Unionists named McLean and Murphy were badly wounded, the former being in a critical condition. The Unionists retreated} Carrying the wounded men with them, but were pursued by the police. The wounded men McLean and Murphy, and six others, were taken prisoners. The whole of the Darling district is in a disturbed condition. Six hundred and fifty mon are camped at Wilcannia, where reinforcements of police have been sent. A detachment of police has been sent to Broken Hill in anticipation of trouble in the big sheds there. When three miles from Wilcannia, 500 Unionists intercepted the police conveying the wounded and prisoners from the Grasmere station, and threatened bloodshed unless they were given up. The police drew their revolvers, which cowed the mob, and the party reached the gaol safely, The Manuka woolshed has been burned down. After seizing the steamer Rodney, the Unionists turned the oaptain, crew and free labourers adrift in a barge. The Government has offered a reward of £100 in connection with the burning of the river steamer Bodney by Unionist shearers. The Queensland Government has offered a reward of £1000 for the conviction of those connected with ' the burning of the woolsheds. They have also issued very severe instructions to the police to resist to tne utmost any attempt at the rescue of prisoners, and that they fire with effect on the leaders and not over their heads. — Press Association.