LYTTELTON PICTURE

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32566, 27 March 1971, Page 13

LYTTELTON PICTURE

This Lyttelton picture was taken by E. Teague, of Oxford Street, not later than 1896 possibly as early as

Two men in front are shaking hands. The one on the left is undoubtedly Edward Harrington. Some of the committee or delegation wear rosettes and it is possible that the group has something to do with the Lumpers’ strike of 1890, the motto DEFENCE NOT DEFIANCE, expressing the basis (unity with Australian colleagues) of their grievance.

The moderation of expression reflects, no doubt, the fact that the union was just leaving the friendly society stage of development However, this is merely conjecture, and it is difficult to relate the symbolism of the banner with a watersiders’ strike. Unfortunately the photograph is somewhat faded, but it would appear that, within a circle two men stand on either side of a heavy wooden wall or clumsy-looking case against which leans a heavy billet of

wood. The whole is enclosed within a frame (drawn in perspective) in which the circle is a kind of gimbal. In the two bottom corners are suspended buckets, something like those used for carrying molten metal, the handle being attached halfway down the bucket The man in the centre is holding a bell.

Any reader who can identify this group should write to W. J. A. Brittenden, 130 Rugby Street, Christchurch 1, referring to photograph 13B<