THE STRIKES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8374, 30 September 1890, Page 5

THE STRIKES.

RIOT IN SYDNEY.

A SHOT FIRED.

FREE LABOURERS TERRIBLY MALTREATED..

THE POLICE POWERLESS. Prut Association.—JSleetrie Telegraph.—Copyright.

[Received September 30, 12.50 a.m.] Sydney, September 29. A party of free labourers were surrounded by four hundred miners on strike, while they were proceeding to load slack at Greta Colliery. One of the free labourers drew a revolver, and with a view of driving off the crowd, fired over their heads. This action exasperated the strikists, who rushed the free labourers, driving them in all directions, and all were caught except the man who fired the shot, and were terribly maltreated. The swags of the free labourers were burnt, and the police were powerless to prevent the disturbance.

Owing to the contradictory telegrams which are published it is impossible to arrive at a true result of the call-out of the shearers.

The Magistrate's Court has ordered that the 35 shearers who left their employment before their agreement was completed should forfeit the amount of wages due.

Some dismay has been occasioned among shearers who are free selectors, by the discovery that their holdings are liable to be distrained upon. It is anticipated the pastoralists will sue the shearers for damages, on t!-9 ground that their refusal to work is a breach of agreement. London, September 26.

The dock labourers are powerless to boycott the incoming Australian vessels, and it is unlikely that any attempt will be made. The practice of coercing men to subscribe in aid of the Australian strikers has been abandoned.

Dunedin, Monday. There was a fair amount of work carried on at the wharves to-day, but nothing unusual occurred. At a meeting of the Building Trades Union, it was decided to expel a carpenter who was working on the Jessie Roadman discharging cargo.