EXCITEMENT SUBSIDING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8726, 27 November 1913, Page 4

EXCITEMENT SUBSIDING.

ALL QUIET AT LYTTELTON,

FAMINE IN SUPPLIES TERMINATED.

SERIOUS POSITION IN AUSTRALIA

AT CHRISTCHURCH.

BUSY SHIPPING

1 •■■■.' SPECIALS IN COMMAND

( (Per Press Association.)

v< CHRISTCHFRCH, November 26.'

' lii- marked contrast with last week; 1! there is a marked sign of activity along ' tli6 waterfront at Lyttelton to-dayV and the clamour of steam winches was to'he heard on practically every wharf. >*ln,the vicinity of the Union Com-] pftny's office a number of mounted I s'iiecials'' strolled about, whilst at the Coronation Hall several foot men were detailed off for fatigue duty. There was an abujadant supply of specials / touring the approaches to the wharves, but their duties were by no means arduous, and everyone was goodhumoured.

Shortly after 7.30 o'clock this morning H.M.S. Pyramus arrived in port from Wellington, and took up the berth vacated by her sister ship, the Psyche. Her arrival was not an occasion for ' any excitement, and, as specials patrolled the wharves, there was no need for an armed guard. Matters were so quiet that the Lyttelton Harbour Board's staff proceeded with the work of top-dressing No. 3 Wharf with tar and sand.

At No. 7 Wharf the Federal and Shire steamer Dorset was busily engaged in discharging her Liverpool cargo. The vessel was being worked by her own crew, and it is expected that she will proceed to Dunedin tomorrow evening to complete discharge. Work, as usual, proceeded with good speed on board the Rimutaka, and in addition to the crew there wer© 25 Arbitrationists working. On board the Opouri, Canopus, Breeze, Kini, and Morning' Light discharging and loading operations were under way, but it was apparent that there were still vacancies for more labour to work the ships. When the Pateena arrived this morning there was a large number of "specials" on the Ferry Wharf to greet her, but berthing operations were carried out very quickly.. Tho Pateena arrived in time to allow a -connection to be made with tho second express.

Arrangements were made for dis-, charging operations to-day on board tho schooners Eunice, Aratapu, and Eliza Firth. The Pa teen a also commenced the discharge of her .fruit, this afternoon; but, owing to the shortage of hands, it will be necessary to transfer men from the Kina to tho Pa.teena. Insufficient Labour. To-morrow will be a very busy day along the waterfront, and it is expected that there will not be a sufficient supply of labour on hand. With two exceptions, the vessels in port to-day will remain overnight, but additions will be made by the arrival of the liners Marere (with 1200 tons of cargo) and the Mimiro (with 700 tons). The New Zealand Shipping Company's liner Remuera is also expected from Wellington. She has about 1800 tons of cargo to land. . s■ Railway Workers Resuming. ' Yesterday, mombers of the Lyttelton' Casual Railway Workers" Union were asked by the railway authorities to sign a declaration of their willingness to resume work immediately, on the penalty of being r.efused railway work for all time. Some 35 of tho members signed the declaration at once, and went' to work. The executive of the union had called a meeting, to be held at 8.30 o'clock this morning, but by tho time that hour had arrived all save about 20 of the 120 members of the union had signed the declaration, and tho meeting was not held. , Matters were again quiet in the city to-day. Carters Return to Work. IJrightling's, Hey wood's, and the Now Zealand Express Company's carriers are back at work, protected by special constables. A few of the old men have not come back, for some of j them left town when they wore paid j off a week or two since, ■ but they are: expected back soon. The mon have formed >a new union for registration ■ under tho Arbitration Act.

" The " protected " area is bounded by Carlylo Street, Manchester Street, Hereford Street, and Durham Street % and carrying outside those limits *is to bo done only by arrangement with a patrol.