THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 171, 6 December 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

INQUEST ON EVANS.

A STRONG FEDEILVriONLST

Bv Telegraph—Press Association. Wai'lii, Thursday. The Coroner's inquiry into the death oi Evans was resumed to-day. Helen Rose Sorrenson, wife of a striker who went to goal, said that she was in the Union Hall at the time of the shooting. She was under the impression that the first shot came from the outside, but saw no smoke in the passage. She ran out of the back of the building. She was only four yards from Wade and Evans when' the shot was fired. It was not fired till after Evans had been batoned by the constable. The constable was shot'by somebody behind him; she did not know who fired the shot, and could not recall the name or description of anyone present at the time of the shooting except Evans. She saw no revolvers. One of the Arbitrationists had something in his hand, but she did not know what it was. She was a strong Federationist.

The cross-examination of the witness Rose Sorrenson, by Mr. J. R. Lundon, appearing on Ix'lialf of the relatives of Evans, was continued all the afternoon. Witness reiterated that (me constable was not shot by Evans. Though she did not the workers with a revolver, she was sure that the shot was fired from a group of workers near by. She was very nervous as the result of the shooting at the hall, but not over excited. The proceedings arc likely to last some days.

FEDERATIONTSTS ASSAULTED. Waihi, Last Night. AY. E. Parry. M. McLcnuan and Wesley Richards gor an unwelcome reception at the Grand Junction mine this morning. They went to interview Mr. Grace, the superintendent, re labor matters, but when 'they got on to the company's property their passage was interrupted by a number of workers, who objected to their presence. The objectors eventually hustled them o(f the property. It appears that the party had obtained an interview with Mr. McConachie. the mine manager, and the latter had referred them to Mr. Grace. It was while looking for Mr. Grace that the workers in trefered with the Federationists, and. as alleged, assaulted them. MeLcnnan. in the course of the hustling, was struck on the eye. Subsequently they saw Mr. Grace. The latter on hearing an account of the action of the men disclaimed any knowledge of the affair, and said that he did not countenance such behaviour.