THE STRIKES IN NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8362, 16 September 1890, Page 5

THE STRIKES IN NEW ZEALAND.

WORK AT THE TAUPIRI MINES, i FREE LABOUR TO BE EMPLOYED. THE SITUATION IN THE SOUTH. THE RICHMOND. During yesterday the union crow of Messrs. Donald and Edonborough's steamer Richmond worked well at discharging the vessel's cargo of fruit from the islands, and the bulk of it was safely landed. In the evening, however, the crew, whose term of notice had then expired, left the vessel. The officers and stewards have stated their intention not to strike. The Richmond's owners had numerous applications for the positions vacated by tho unionist seamen and firemen, and a full and competent free crew has been engaged, and will start work this morning to finish the discharge of the few consignments still on board the vessel. the TAUI'IRI mines. The directors of the Taupiri Extended Coalmining Company have decided to reopen their works, which have been closed for a few days, since the Unionist miners knocked off work, and the company is now advertising for free labour, forty good men being required at once to work the mines at Huntly. There will, it is expected, be very little difficulty in procuring these within a very short time, free labour at present being very plentiful in Auckland. The coal mines in the Waikato are very easily worked ; any good quarryman, goldminer, or pick and shovel man can in a few days acquire the necessary proficiency. The Government is evidently determined to prevent disturbances between union men and free labour, and have alrt&dy strengthened the police force at Iluntly, and more men will be sent immediately any necessity for them should arise. MEETING OF FARMERS. A public meeting of farmers and all interested in the agricultural industry is to be held on Saturday evening next, at the Orange Hall, Papakura. The object of the meeting is stated to be, "To deliberate upon the formation of a Defensive Association, and to protest against the aggressive invasion of certain trades unions upon the civil rights of the average citizen." IN THE SOUTH. The strike continues to be maintained without any change, so far as the seamen and lumpers are concerned. Free labour is now coming forward very plentifully, and at some places more is offering than is needed. The following Press Association telegrams were received last night:— NAPIER. The Manapouri was tendered to-day without delay and without difficulty. Five free labourers left in the Star of Victoria on i Saturday to coal that vessel. Any vessels coming hebe now can be guaranteed quick despatch by free labourers. WELLINGTON. A large crowd again assembled at the Queen's Wharf at five o'clock to-night, when the free labourers loft work. Between three and four hundred special constables supported the police in maintaining order, and escorting the men to their homes. The proceedings were very orderly, with the exception of a little hooting. The authorities have decided not to call out the whole of the specials in future, but only two or three detachments each evening. Several more storeinen have returned to work to-day, and it is said others will follow. The work at the wharves is being carried on quietly, and without any disturbance. The coal from the Kennedy was only allowed to be landed on the express understanding that it was for the Gas Company. GREYMOUTH. Tho steamers Grafton, Kanieri, and Stormbird arrived this morning. All the crew of the latter were called out. This is said to be in connection with a cargo of coal from here a few days ago, which the Stormbird took to Wellington instead of Wanganui. It was also said that she was secretly chartered by the Union Company. The Grafton is being discharged by her deck hands, and some other labour picked up about town. The Kanieri will discharge with her own crew. A detachment of coal miners arrived in town from Brunnerton this morning, to see how affairs would be with the Grafton, Kanieri, and Stormbird. All was quiet during the morning, but in the course of the afternoon several Brunnerton men, getting too much drink, became noisy and insulting, using bad language to the nonunionists working the Grafton. At lust, the police interfered, and two men were taken to the lock-up, followed by a crowd of boys and idlers. A few stones were thrown, but no damage resulted. The ordinary wharf lumpers took no part in the disturbance. They said they had received imperative instructions from headquarters to avoid coercion of any kind, and to remain peaceable, which order was carried out to the letter. Free labour is not plentiful here, though the work of discharging went on fairly well during the day. LYTTELTON. Matters are very quiet at Lyttelton today. Plenty of non-union labour was available.

TIMARU.

Tho Resident Magistrate, to-day, sentenced to fourteen days with hard labour a lumper who, when half drunk, assaulted the fireman and two passengers on tho Omapere in the streets on Saturday night. Three seamen of the Alert were let off, as they were not concerned in tho actual assault. The Resident Magistrate said he took the view that it was a drunken freak rather than a union demonstration, or lie would have inflicted the fullest penalty. The police said the unions had no sympathy with such proceedings. The Omapere left for Wellington and Auckland this afternoon with a full cargo. Three hundred tons were received and stowed by two gangs of free labour in six hours, which is considered good time. More free labour was offering than was needed to-day. DUNE DIN.

Nothing new has transpired in connection with the strikes. The Herald finished discharging coal by non-union labour at Port Chalmers, and steamed up to Dunedin where she took in cargo for West Coast and leaves to-morrow.

CHARGES OF ASSAULT. Christciidrch, Monday. Murphy, McQuillan and Daly, charged with making a disturbance with non-union-ists in Manchester-street yesterday, were brought before Mr. Whiteford to-day. It appeared that Murphy was the aggressor, and be was fined 40s, and the other two were discharged. They are not members of the union. The eleven Lyttelton unionists charged with outrages on non - unionists were brought before Mr. Beetham and several justices to-day, and charged with assault. Mr. Martin conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Russell appeared for the prisoners. After hearing evidence, Mr. Martin withdrew the charge against Blake, there being no evidence that he had been present on the occasion. The others were remanded till to-morrow. Several witnesses were positive the accused Daley, McGeray, Morrison, and Sinclair were at the Wilson's Road affray. Other witnesses believed Green, Buckley, and McDonald were there. Three witnesses (nonunionists) swore that Green and Buckley assaulted non-unionists. They were remanded until Monday morning.