WAIHI DAY BY DAY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 87, 7 December 1912, Page 5

WAIHI DAY BY DAY.

THE INQUEST ON EVANS. (Per Press Association.) Waihi, December 6. The enquiry in connection with the death of Evans was resumed tnis morning. Lengtny evidence was guon by Katherine Hislop, a sister ol a striker who went to gaol. Sue sa el that Evans went out at the back of tffe hall first. She followed closely behind Evans, who ran through Lie fence. Sue followed, ten yards beliind. Sue saw a crowd ot workers coming round cue side of the I nion Hall, and as soon as they saw Evans getting Liroiigff .the fence they pursued him. I’liere was no police with them. Sue saw Evans fall as though he tripped, and then saw a constable run up to Evans, and while the latter was lying full length on the ground tne constable stooped and struck Evans on Hie back of the ear with his baton. Afterwards a worker struck Evans on the head with a baton or st.ck. Then a number surrounded him and appeared to kick him. She saw no revolvers, but just before Evans got through Hie fence she heard a revolver shot, which she thought came from a worker. Evans was running at the time, and his action did not indicate that he had fired. She liael made a statement to a detective within half an hour ol the occurrences that morning. She was as clear in her mind now as then that Evans did not shoot- Wade. A statement by Mrs Cottie, made to Detective Sweeney, was put in as evidence, but cross-examination was deferrod until the morning, when Mrs Cottie would attend in person. Dr. Craig was recalled and subjected to a close and searching cross-ex-amination regarding the nature of Evans’ wounds.

ARBITRATION v. FEDERATION. AVaihi, December 6. Mr P. Barry, superintendent of the AVaihi Company, took tlie opportunity, prior to the commencement of work, of addressing the men. He commend ed them for their cionduct during a trving period, especially as to then behaviour, and thanked them for having stuck to their work. He assured tncm that none but Arbitrationists would be employed by the company He trusted that the conduct of tlie workers would in future be sucli that no reflection could be cast upon them. At the conclusion of Air Barry’s remarks the men applauded and cheered him. . At a mass meeting of Foderatioirusts to-day it was decided by an overwhelming majority to give individual Fed erationists a free hand to join the new union or leave Waihiy A further show of hands indicated that 80 per cent, had decided to leave the town. Those who join the new union u order to comply with tlie company’s conditions to get work are to be given a clearance from the Federation. The question of declaring Waihi “black” as left over for tlie decision of the Federation executive.

REFUSING A LEA' Y. Westport, December 6. The Stockton coal miners discontinued work yesterday to hold a meeting to consider the question of two members of the union refusing to pay Lie Waihi levy. The miners went to work as usual this morning, and tlie mine is working with a full staff.