LATEST FROM CHRISTCHURCH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 14 November 1913, Page 5

LATEST FROM CHRISTCHURCH.

THE STRIKERS DEPRESSED

MANUKA'S SEAMEN STANDING FJRM.

A PERMANENT WORKER THREATENED. •

CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night.

The dull monotony on the waterfront was broken to a great extent this morning by the arrival of two steamers, and the ferry wharf presented a much busier appearance than for some days past. Otherwise the port was quiet and lifeless, the beggarly array of deserted wharves giving the harbour a very depressing appearance. A rumour which gained wide currency in Lyttelton this morning that the strike at Auckland had collapsed, and that the strikers were all returning to work, had a further depressing effect on the strikers, and gave proportionate gratification to the- rest. The report appeared to have been based on a telegram received by the managed of a shipping company, stating that the strike was rapidly weakening, and that work Was in lull swing in Auckland." Another firm received a telegram from a fluor-milling company in Auckland, asking that grain should be shipped at Lyttelton „-by next week's steamer for the . northern port. The opinion is rapidly strengthening in Lyttelton that the strike is breaking down, and that the local men will seize the first good excuse to get back to work. The seamen are very tired of, the. situation.

The crew of the Manuka are said to be very solid against coming out. The Warrimoo, which left -Wellington last night, passed the Lyttelton heads this morning on her way to Dunedin, thus avoiding any possibility of her being held up here. Ever since the striko started,, the watersiders have viewed with disfavour the employment of the Union Company's permanent wharf hands at coaling and loading, and the discharging of mails and baggage on the ferry steamers. These men are not members of the Lyttelton Union. One of the permanent hands was approached yesterday by certain men, who, it is understood, are not waterside workers, and threatened with personal- violence, and threats of damage to his house. He did not pay much attention to the threats, but performed his duties as usual. This morning, however, he discovered that the threats had been carried out, and'that some mean curs had entered his premises and wantonly damaged Eifi garden. Potatoes, peas, and other vegetables had been ruthlessly torn un bv the roots, and much of bis labour' in the garden brought to nought. His fowl-house had also been broken into, and some of his poultry killed. A man was arrested to-day on a charge of using threatening language, to wit, "We know where you live, Frank, and we will to fix' you up!" The man was under the influence of liquor when arrested, and will also be charged with drunkenness. . The victim of the outrage is applying, for the man to be bound over to keep the peace.