GAOL PREFERRED

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 71, 20 September 1912, Page 8

GAOL PREFERRED

TWENTY-FOUR MORE STRIKERS WAS THE MAGISTRATE HUMBUGGED? (f!»»!(-tQRA£H— SOCIAL To TttX POST.] WAIHI, This Day. The moet notable feature of XVaihi affairs yesterday was the binding over of twenty-four strikers, found guilty of the now recognised offerice of "following," to keep the poace for twelve mouths. The personal bond fixed by the •Magistrate was £10, with one surety of £10 in each case. Every striker so •.bound asked that hd' be given until the to find a surety, and the request was readily, granted. When Parry, JVl'Lennan, and Melrose were bound over, their case having been concluded late on Tuesday evening, they were straightforward in their announcement to the Magistrate that though they fully appreciated his consideration in offering them time to think the matter over, they • had made up* their minds, and did not propose to try and find sureties. Their attitude, though it resulted in their detention and prevented them from arranging their private affairs as thoroughly as they would liked, was at least candid. This point has been referred to thus frtlly because there is every reason to believe that the men who were bound over j»esterday have not been so candid. Most of them have repeatedly stated their determination to go to gaol rather than by entering into recognisances to keep the peace to admit their guilt, .which they do not profess to be able to ?eel. It was openly stated here last ♦flight -that the men had determined "to take it out" with their other stubborn comrades. There was a "social" and dance in the Miners' Union hall last night, and the function was regarded boforehand an being practically in the nature of a farewell "to the boys who are going away.'i Many of them had their belongings all packed and had arrangements, all made to depart at a moment's notice. Some, it was said, had gone so i far as to leave instructions for the correspondence to be forwarded to a wellIcnown institution at Mount Eden, all ■ of which, to say the least, would appear to savour of mean treatment of an infinitely patient and considerate Magistrate. The strikers expect Robert Semple to Arrive in Waihi to-day. So far no arrangements have been made to fill the vacant post of chairman of the strike committee, Mr. M'Lennan having previously held that office. .Five cases to be heard to-day will, it is 'believed, conclude the strike prosecu- ) tions in the meantime. These comprise f.- changes against strikers who have f behaved offensively since the present /prosecutions were entered upon. The ! potlce also have information against , numeiMUß other strikers, and the law may jbe put into operation when occasion pwiakes'the step advisable.