ATTACK ON A PREMIER,

Otago Witness, Issue 2300, 31 March 1898, Page 13

ATTACK ON A PREMIER,

THE MINING TROUBLE IN WESTKALIA. KALaooELIE, March 25. The Governor (Sir Gerard Smith), t?h« Premier (Sir John Forrest), and the Ministerial party returned here after opening the railway ar. Mpczies. A deputation waited on the Iremier in reference to the alluvial difficulty. When tha Premier's visit was fixed miners began to flock in, and when the train arrived with the Ministerial vavty folly 10,000 \oE them, with bands and banner*, gathered at the railway station. The Governor went on to Coolgardie, bafc Sir J. Forrest went to Wilkie's Hotel, where he received the deputation. The diggers hooted him all the way, and then attempted to take possession of the hotel ; but the police frustrated their efforts. An appeal was made to him to repeal the 10ft regulation and at once release the men who have been imprisoned. After listening patiently to them, the Premier said that the men had made out a better case than he originally thought; they had. Tbe men imprisoned had defied the law. They must purge their contempt and apologise. The delegates present seconded this suggestion. Sir J. Forrest then said that the men persisted in stating that they were obeying law and order. If so, they must obey the court's decrees, and he would not be hustled into any particular course of action. He musfe have the law obeyed. Regarding an amendment of the law, he said he would consider that matter in Cabinet, and give an answer in a week's time. By this time the crowd outside had become turbulent, and several of tbe deputation went out to try and pacify them. One of the Buloner residents said : " Sir John, : allow me to tell you your answer is most unj satisfactory. W_ want your opinion on the ' 10ft regulation and also a definite answer to the appeal for the four men's release." The Premier got angry and descended the stairs of the hotel, intending to go to the Boulder to receive a deputation and also to visit the View, Lake View, and Consols mines. When he got outside the hotel he was rushed. Thousands of the men pressed on him. He was bit in the face and bruised in the side, despite the effortatof the police. At length Sir John managed to reach the railway station, but the diggers held possession of the station, and it was found impossible to get the door open. The Premier by this . time _was much knocked about,' and the warden, seeing that bis life was in danger, read the Eiot Acfc, and mounted troopers rode the crowd 'down and galloped away for their muskets. By the time they returned tbe door fcf the station had been forced,' and the Premier having got through the door was barricaded again. The Premier having entered hie carriage the train steamed towards the Boulder, bnt hearing that the rails had been torn up the train returned to Kalgoorlie, and thence to Perth. Sir j. Forrest says he is sorry that he came here. A meeting of the ratepayers has been called to protest against the insult offered to the Premier. The language used by the rioters was most violent. It was the most serious mining riot in any of the colonies since the Eureka Stockade affair at Ballarat in December, 1854. Perth, March 26. Sir John Forrest received a great ovation on his retnrn here from Kalgoorlie, also telegrams of sympathy from many members of the Federal Convention. March 28. A large meeting called by the Mayor of Kalgoorlie expressed indignation at the treatment of Sir John Forrest by miners. The leaders state that the disturbance was caused by the scum of the surrounding districts. A largely-signed petition has been presented to the Governor asking for the early summoning of Parliament to deal with the mining difficulty. ______________________