THE MINING TROUBLE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1025, 19 November 1912, Page 3

THE MINING TROUBLE.

POLICE GO TO HUNTLY

Thirteen policemen, in charge of Sergeant Kelly, left Wellington on Sunday morning by special train under instructions to proceed to Huntly, They were to be joined by other policemen at stations eu route, making altogether a strong contingent by the time Huntly was reached. The possible changing of the scene of operations of the federation leaders from Waihi to Huntly has impressed the authorities with the necessity of affording ample protection at the latter township as well as at Waihi.

The Waihi correspondent of the Times telegraphs that Commissioner Cullen received a telegram on Saturday afternoon from Inspector Mitchell asking for police reiniorcemeuts for Huntly, and stating that the federatiouists in that town had given the arbitrationists forty-eight hours notice to leave.

When the special train passed through Palmerston tlx-re were twenty-two policemen aboard, and more were to be picked up between there and Huntly.

REEFTON TROUBLE SETTLED. Reefton, Nov. 17. The ballot iu reference to the agreement referred to members of the luangahua Miners' Union resulted in an overwhelming majority 1258 to 103) in favour of ratifying the agreement. Only two places were against the agreement —Big River and Waiutu. A good deal of opposition against the agreement was overcome at the end of the week. The Consolidated miners have been getting ready to start work all the week. It is expected this coming week will see a general resumption of work. Men are already flocking back to work from all around, and the general feeling is very hopeful. Reefton stood the six months’ trouble, starting xSih May and ending 16th November, much better than was expected, but latterly the strain has been very heavy. Indeed, the general feeling amongst the men is that they are glad to get back to work. They are sick and tired of the trouble. Reefton, November 18. The Consolidated group of mines are inviting tenders for wokrs in the Energetic and Progress mines. It is expected that Thursday will see a number of men at work. The battery bands, etc., most probably will be a week or a. fortnight delayed. All contract work is to be on the cooperative principle, the proprietary contract being barred.

A SENSATIONAL, STORY. Waihi, Nov. 18. A miner named Albert Wortley, just arrived from Tauranga on horseback, gives a sensational story. He states that he left Tauranga at 4 o’clock in the morning, and when about ten miles irom Waihi he was stuck up by a man on horseback, who rode out of the bush with a revolver in his hand. Wortley ,£ut spurs to his horse, and raced for his life, with the mysterious stranger In full pursuit. Wortley crossed two swamps, but his horse got bogged in the second one. His pursuer got bogged in the first swamp, and dismounted and fired two shots at him, without effect. Wortley then got his own horse out, and escaped. Wortley arrived here in a mud-bespattered condition, and told his tale at the police station.