AN UNDERGROUND ROW.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 170, 10 June 1873, Page 3

AN UNDERGROUND ROW.

As underground tussle took place la«t mght between the workmen employed by the Parade ami Ulaek-hill bouth Extended Companies, under the folio* mg en cumstances :— The rival companies are each ininmß on giouml abutting on the south side ofDvtcVpiirnrfe, nbout a qiuiler ol a nnlo to tlie eastward of the Extern Bml»a> Station Hip two shafts are situate 1 within fifty yard* ot ench other, md both companies are driving for the same reef or gutti- feonucood ground was kn.mn to exist under the centre ot the parade, a little to the eastward of the Parade Cora j .any s nhaft, and for this each company has been steadily dm ing The Parade Company's drives are somewhat lower than those of the rival company, and the workmen of the latter, finding the otheis pushing on at a pood rate of speed for the disputed "i omul, put down a blind shaft in order to cut them oil So matters have been going on for the past few dins At about eight o'clock last night the Parade Company's men broke through into tlie workings of the IMack-lnll South Extended Company, and then commenced the row. The Black-hill South Extended mou had tlie advantage of position, and Hooded their rivals out -with water taken from the well and let down the blind shaft snoken of. Then mullock *»s shot down the shaft, and the l'aiadc men were considerably bothered while endeavouring to secure their position by blocking up the shaft Water and mullock falling to dislodge tlie Parade men, it would seem "stinking out " was tried, although the Extpivled men stoutly deny having had recourse to such meant of routing their opponents. Tlie Parade men maintain that the others lued some horribly nauseous stuff, the fumes ef which drove them (the Parade fellows) from the face in which tiie\ were working. During the row a tin can, like those used for \arnish and pamt oils, and of about half a gallon capacity, tumbled down tlio blind shaft from the Extended workings into the Parade drives, and was brought up the shaft of the Litter company. It was nearly empty at the tune, and was shown to our reporter this morning. The "stuff" contained in it eeems to have been a mixture of kerosene and turpentine, judging bj the smell of the can. An hour or two after midincht tlie police were communicated with, by the Parade men, who stated that a shot had been fired, and that further outrages were threatened. The police were soon on the spot, but did not go below, aa hostilities ceased on their arrival. Tlie Parade men distinctly aver that one shot was fired with tlie intention of dislodging them, that they were threatened with others if they did not clear out, that noxious chemicals were used, and that the water from the mains was thrown down on them. It is but fair to state that the Extended men simply deny these statements. They admit that buckets ot water, taken from the well, were poured down tho blind shait, but deny that the mums were touched. They state no chemicals were used, and that gunpowder was ue^er thought of. — Ballarat Post, April 15.