STRIKE IN PRISON.

Otago Witness, Issue 3031, 17 April 1912, Page 53

STRIKE IN PRISON.

MEN REFUSE TO WORK. CHRISTCHURCH, April 15. Serious trouble occurred among the prisoners in the Lyttelton Gaol to-day, which culminated in. a strike. The trouble started early in the morning shortly after the prisoners' cells were unlocked. After breakfast the warders prepared to get their gangs ready to go *o work, but the prisoners refused to leave the gaoL Warnings by the Gaoler were of no avail, and the prisoners simply lounged about the exercise yard. The prisoners employed in the gaol workshops worked quietly during the morning, but after the midday meal refused to go back to work. About 98 prisoners were on strike, 83 of them being members of the outside gangs. The Gaoler (Mr M'Murray) realised the seriousness of the ipositiion, and telegraphed to Wellington, acquainting the authorities of the trouble. He waited for some time for the men to come forward and make a statement of their grievances, but* none appeared willing to do so. Mr M'Murray then informed Mr J. Garrard, one of the visiting justices, of what was going on, and Mr W. W. Collins was also sent for. Messrs Garrard and Collins went to the goal, and a number of the prisoners were eent for to explain their grievances in the board room. None of them would, come forward, and the big body of prisoners simply sat tight in the exercise yard, talking quietly among themselves. One man volunteered to 6tate the case, but was overawed by the threatening behaviour of his fellow prisoners, and retired to the ranks. After waiting for some time the visiting justices went out into the yard, and spoke to the prisoners. They pointed out the seriousness of their conduct, and advised the men to come forward frankly and state the nature of their grievance and assured them that any complaints they wished to make would receive the fullest and fairest consideration. Even this had no effect, for the prisoners refused to make any statement to the'justices, and indicated that they would deal with nobody but the Inspector of Prisons in regard to their grievances. Realising that further efforts to induce any of the prisoners to state their case would be fruitless, the justices left the prison. The men continued to lounge about the exercise yard, observing a sullen silence towards the warders. In the meantime the gaoler received instructions from Wellington to secure outside assistance to deal with the refractionary prisoners. Mr M'Murray communicated with the Inapeotor of Police at Christchurch and with the officer commanding the Lyttelton detachment of Permanent Artillery, and in response to his representations it was decided to send a detachment of police from Christchurch and to detail several artillerymen for service at the gaol. About 12 constables went through to Lyttelton by the 4 p.m. train, and were met by the local police and several artillerymen. The unusual eight of a large company of police and military men, marching up Oxford street caused some speculation among the people in the street. The men went first to the Police Station, and then proceeded to the gaol, where they joined forces with the warders. The combined force moved into the exercise yard, and the mutinous prisoners were then ordered by the gaoler to muster in line. They were plainly overawed by the display of authority, and whatever plans they might have made to cause trouble to the gaol officers did not hatch out. They sullenly, but obediently, lined up outside the kitchen, and their evening rations, were served out as usuaL Each man after reeeiving his allowance walked quietly to his cell and was locked up for the night, and the trouble was over for the time being. The police returned to Christchurch by the next train, and the artillerymen were dismissed. Inquiries made to-night went to show that all was quiet in the gaol. A Press reporter gathered that the trouble had been fomented by about 12 men—all long sentence criminals of a dangerous type. It was understood that the system of strict searching of the men employed on works outside the gaol for contraband articles is strongly resented by the men, and this feeling has been worked upon by the ringleaders, who induced the main body to go out on strike as a protest. Dr Hay. Inspector of Prisons, will visit the Lyttelton Gaol to investigate matters.