OLD HUNTLY UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 1509, 16 January 1914, Page 8

OLD HUNTLY UNION.

EVICTED FROM OFFICE.

THE MINERS EXCITED.

ESCAPE THROUGH WINDOW,

POLICE KEEP THE PEACE

NEW UNION IN POSSESSION

[n\ TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPOXDEST.]

HrNTTY, Thursday. A somewhat dramatic episode occurred today, .lust as the workers were going home, preceded and followed by police, Mr. S. Dixon, president of the new union, accompanied by his executive and arbitratiomsts, numbering about 15 all told, entered the old union office to take possesfun. Mr, \V. Wood and several members >.f the old union, were inside the little building, the number being variously estimated from 8 to 11. Mr. Dixon intimated the intention of his party to assume control of the buildinc. and a scene of excitement followed. Six oi Mr. Wood's men escaped from the melee by getting through the pay-slide window on the south side of the building, while a seventh was thrown out on the pavement. The new union took up a position in front of the door to stem any rush that might occur. Meanwhile the police arrived on the scene, and their efforts to prevent a fracas were successful, though a rush took place during which one man was knocked, or push?d, down and another received a blow in the face. Mr Wood, who was calm and dignified, although it was evident that he resented summary eviction, demanded possession of the books, files, correspondence, and furniture. His demand was ac-ceded to. The

various books, papers, and other material were placed in sacks and carried away, Mr. Wood leaving when the property of his union had been secured. In a very short time the office was moved well back from its old site on to the company's property and a galvanised iron fence erected as a frontage to the main street. After a few minutes of excitement the crowd, which had assumed large dimensions melted quietly away. The police were active and on the alert. The union office was erected after the strike of 1912 by the arbitration union, of which Mr. Dixon was secretary, and was occupied by him and his colleagues in office until tlioy were superseded by Mr. W. Wood and his fellow officers. It changed hands again this afternoon, passing into the hands of the arbitrationists. To-night the town is quiet, but there is prevalent a distinct bitterness of feeling, which, though repressed, may vet cause some trouble.

Last night and during the forenoon of to-day the executive of the new union has been engaged in considering the applications for membership made by the strikers. The rush to join was practically finished at. 11 a.m. Altogether some 200 applications have been accepted (29 to-day), while 71 have been absolutely rejected and 17 held over.

As a result, nearly 200 men went below this morning, so that from to-day onward the output of coal will be considerably increased. As no attempt has been made to send the horses down" into Ralph's mine, it is not likely that a start will be made this week, though several miners have been told to make a start there on Monday. A number of applications for work have been received from outsiders, and these will be immediately considered. Quite an exodus from the town took place to-day. One or two men left with their wives and families, while a good many proceeded to To Kuiti, vrhre work appears to be fairly plentiful.