STUCK TO HIS GUNS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9302, 31 July 1908, Page 1

STUCK TO HIS GUNS.

HOW WATTY " MOVED THE CAR.

INDESCRIBABLE DEMONSTRATIONS. The corner of George and Goulburn Streets, opposite Hordern's, was a scene of some excitement for several hours on Friday, for there, under the shadow of the Trades Hall, the strikers and their friends congregated in numbers. Attempts were made to move /the standing cars from that position into the sheds at Ultimo, so clearing the lines for the steam trams soon to be pressed into service. One driver mounted and prepared to place the handle in position, and immediately became the centre of an indescribable demonstration. The crowd hooted loudly, and were threatening and persuasive in turn. The object of

their attention was invited to "be a man," to " stan<sl by the boys," and "come out." For several minutes he witlistood the strain, and made preparations to move on. Then the women members of the gathering co-operated with the men, and asked the driver to " remember the women and children." The individual wavered: a kindly and diplomatic utterance at his elbow worked like a. charm, and the " gripman " relaxed his loyalty to the service, and was soon mingling with ' his comrades-in-arms.

Then came the real test of the morning. A ruddy-faced young fellow, with the firm jaw of the prize-fighter and the pluck of a "grizzly," mounted the car. His appearance was the signal for a renewal of the cat-calling that had previously expended itself. " Come out, Watty," roared his mates, "and we'll stick to you." Watty made some inaudible remark, lifted the driving handle, and fitted it to its place.

" You'll be the first to get the sack when it's all over," exclaimed another. " Don't be a fool; come down."

Watty did not seem to worry about the sack, but went methodically about his work.

Then followed one of those incidents which work damage to a cause, rather than help it. Several persons, two of them in civilian's clothes, mounted the car, despite the indignant protest vof the driver. The howling increased, and, to quote Bret Harte, "in less time than I write," Watty was being smote hip and thigh by the invaders. Whether he had right on his side or not did not appear to trouble the young fellow, and he proceeded in the vernacular of the street to " mix it " to the best of his ability. The. front of the car was for some seconds obscured by flying arms and heaving bodies, and the howling was deafening. Eventually when Watty looked to be in a bad way, the police arrived and swept back the mob. And the victim of the assault, rising from the floor of the car, affixed his handle anew, the pole was swung round to make the connection, and, amidst a perfect fusilade of eggs, biscuits, and fruit, the irre-; pressible Watty clipped out from the " convincing ground '» a proud driver, ruddier-faced than ever.