THE WELLINGTON RIOTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 5 November 1913, Page 3

THE WELLINGTON RIOTS.

WHAT THE FEDERATIONISTS SAY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) W ELLINCI TON, La st N iglit. 'ln tho course of an official (statement by the Strike Committee, the assurance is given that the waterside workers were absolutely not responsible for any interference with the mounted "specials" last night. The secretary (Mr Farlaml) visited the scene, and went into the crowd and found out" who were throwing the missiles. They were not members of the union, and with the assistance of the picket* lie ran them out of the crowd. He also asked the crowd to go quietly homo, as the union battles could be fought by reason, and did not require brick-bats and broken bottles. Members of the committee state confidently that the shots were fired by drink-mad specials, and that £4O worth of liquor was sold in two hours that morning. Tho union pickets were stationed outside tho hotels in the vicinity to restrain the waterside r« from entering. One man who assisted an injured lad states that the shot entered the boy's coat from above. At a mass meeting of the union to-day a resolution was carried expressing sympathy with those injured. It was also il< eided to write to them, stating that tho watersiders were not responsible for injuries. During the meeting the delegates to the conference with the employers reported pi ogress. The only official statement m this connection is that the men are determined and solid. They believe their claims are just, and that the fight is dne between the public and the shipowners. The union has instructed its members to keep away from the barracks, and urges that the mounted specials be removed without delay, or the pub: lie may take action such as will afterwards be regretted by the citizens.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT. BY COMMISSIONER CULLEN. The following official statement is made by Commissioiner Cnlien regarding the Buckle Street trouble >on Monday night:—"We cannot allow people to gather and block the thoroughfares doing such damage as has been done. The roadway will have to be kept clear at all costs." Mr John Cullen, with Colonel ..Knox and: several other officers^'of the permanent force, was;on the the whole of the disturbance, and : after his reUuti tp the, office he was suppiied *v>th the official reports. He. said that his infonnaiio i was that the principal casualty was on. the side of law a»d order. Sergt.nMajor Thomson, of the lvermanent Artillery, was struck on the head with a piece of rock or a-t iron bolt, and was taken to the hospital suffering from a severe scalp wound and a slight concussion of the brain. No one was shot. According to reporta sent in to headquarters, no snotis were fired by the police or permanent men, but at least a dozen shots were, fired from different parts ol the crowd. Asked for an official version of the disturbance, Commissioner Cullen said that it arose from an attempt on the part of the police ta disperse the crowd, which, for some time had been congregated in the vicinity. Continual complaints had been received -that the crowd was blocking the roadway, a/nd" that* a section of the people had been using the most abusive and insulting languago, That was suffered in silence for a considerable time, but the authorities were determined that the street must bo cleared of the crowd. At 7 o'clock a detachment of the regular police tried td move tliem, but without success. Men in the crowd began io interfere with tlie constables and horses. . Stones and missiles began to flyIt was at this time that Sergt.-Major Thomson was struck ddwn. He was j not with the police who were endeavouring to disperse/the crowd, but was standing on Buckle Street with the permanent artillery guard. The police warned the people that the hose would be turned upon them. This had no effect. Stones flew freely. The hose -was turned full on, and this- caused the assemblage to fall back. Shots were fired by someone among the crowd. "Then," said Commissioner Cullen, "wo- thought it was time to take strong measures, to. clear the streeets. A small detachment of mounted spe- . cial police and special constables was ordered out for this duty." The instructions given to the men were that they were not to use either their hands or any implements, but were merely to use their horses to clear the streets quietly. The appearance of the mounted | men was greeted with further shootI ing from under the verandahs.