SERIOUS MINING RIOT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6137, 25 March 1898, Page 2

SERIOUS MINING RIOT.

SIR J. FORREST INJURED. THE VIOLENCE OF THE MOB. READING THE RIOT ACT. United Preßß Association— By Eleotrio Telegraph - Copyright, Beceived Maroh 25, 9.45 a.m. KALGOORLIE, Marob 85, The Governor, Sir J. FQ"fWfc (Premier), and the Ministerial "p-ty have returned here -ice* opening l\x6' Railway to Menzies. ; A fleputfttlOß waited on the Premier with reference to •& £tayirt difflj^r, Wfcen j the Premier's visit was fixed, tj_* l **» e ' ? **. | began to flock in, and when the train ar- | rived with the party, fully ten thousand people, with bands and banners, had gathered at the railway station. The Governor went on to Coolgardie, but Sir J. Forrest went to Wilkie's Hotel, where he received a deputation. The diggers hooted him all the way, and then attempted to take possession of the hotel, but the police frustrated them. An appeal j was made to him to repeal the ten feet regulation and release the men imprisoned at once. After listening patiently Sir J. Forrest said that the men had made out a better case than he originally thought they had. The men imprisoned had defied the law, and must purge their contempt and apologise. The delegates present resented this suggestion. Sir J. Forrest 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 action. He must have the law obeyed. Regarding the amendment of the law he said that he would consider it in the Cabinet and give an answer in a week. By this time the crowd outside had beoome turbulent, and several meuibeie of the deputation went out to try and paoify them. One of tbe Bulong residents said: "Sir John, allow me to tell you your answer is most unsatisfactory ; we want your opinion on the ten-feet 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 reoeive a deputation, and also to visit the View Lake and Consols mines. When he got outside the hotel he was rushed. Thousands pressed on him; he was hit on the face and bruised on the side, despite the efforts of the police. At length he managed to reaoh the railway station, but the diggers held possession of the station; and it was impossible to get the door open. The Premier by this time was much knocked about. The Warden, seeing that his life was in danger, read the Riot Act, and mounted troopers rode the crowd down and galloped away for muskets. By the time they returned, the door of tlie station had been forced open, and the Premier, having got through, the door was barricaded again. The Premier having entered a carriage, the train steamed towards Boulder, but, hearing that the rails had been torn up, the train returned to Kalgoorlie; and thence to Potth. Sir J, Forrest sajs that he is sorry he came here. , A meeting of ratepayers has been called to protest against the insult offered to the Premier. The ' language used by the rioters was most* 'violent. It iB the most serioha.^ mining riot since the Eureka fstockade'V