RIOTS AT WOLLONGONG.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 200, 26 August 1886, Page 4

RIOTS AT WOLLONGONG.

INTIMIDATIONS BY THE MINERS.

Attempt to Blow up Mr. Lahiff s Residence.

WOLI.ON'GOXG. August 10.

Matters connected with the mining disputes are assuming a serious aspect. The following statement, furnished by Mr Lahifl', places the matter in an unsatisfactory light. Early on Saturday morning a band of men, estimated to number about 200. and supposed to have come principally from Mount . Kembla, mustered at some point and proceeded to Mount lvi'ii-a. and there created a. great, disturbance. It will be recollected that the miners from ihe mine withdrew from the compact made at the mass meeting regarding prop-cutting und skipwheeling, hence the supposed cause of the visit to .Mount Keira. After some time the rioters left Mount Koira and went to the Mount Pleasant mine, about two utiles distant. On nmving there they surrounded a hut. occupied by lour men who had been engaged since the strike, and who are locally known among the rumors as blacklegs. On surrounding the hut, the rioters acted in the most violent manner, telling the occupants to come out. and threatening to bum down the house if the demand was not complied with instantly. Alter' some time the occupants did so, Mid they were al once surrounded by the mob, who threatened them with all sorts of violence, such as lynching, throwing them over un adjacent bridge, or drowning.' The mob then escorted the four men towards the main mid, some three miles away. Durng the maroh one of the prisoners, liavin" watched a chance, made a bolt and escaped It appears this man had a revolver on him, and when pursued lie tired one shot but it is alleged he did not wish to tire again for fear ol hitting his males, lie made good his escape and got into town. The remaining three moii were then escorted to the main road and under di;c throats they were cautioned not to return. 1 he party 'hen returned to Mr LahilF. private residence near the mine, and were heard to make use of threats of a serious kind against Mr Lahift. On the arrival of tho mob at his re: ldence. an at tempt was made to blow up the place with dynamite or some othor explosive substance. A piece of gas or water tubing, about Unch in diameterwascharpe with dvnamitcand a ruse was attached to it. The table was placed close to a dairy. The explosion blew down part of the dairy, and also injured a portion of the root ot his privato residence. It is said that about _> of the ringleaders l.avo been identilied, and as a matter of course thoy will be prosecuted.