ROTHBURY WAS CALM FOLLOWING RIOTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18959, 3 January 1930, Page 11

ROTHBURY WAS CALM FOLLOWING RIOTS.

POLICE SCOUR HILLS LOOKING FOR PICKETS. MELBOURNE. December 17. The miners’ camp at Rothbury to-day was as quiet as a tomb. Not a picket could be seen before breakfast between Branxton and the mine property. To-day’s quiet was in striking contrast to the noise at dawn yesterday, when the first riot was at its height. Yesterday morning thousands of miners had been camped in the scrub country near the colliery. At dawn to-day only the white helmets of the police stood out against the sombre green background. Signs of Struggle. But there were signs of yesterday’s bitter struggle. Portion of the fence near the police camp has been torn down, and posts and rails are scattered over a wide area. By the bumpy roadway near the mine—it is little more than a rough bush track—the miners’ weapons are relics of the fight. Stout limbs torn from trees, pieces of jarrah and rough hewn pieces of timber are scattered through the scrub country. Further out the ashes of a hundred dead camp fires are evidence of the all-night vigil before the storm broke. In the calm of this morning groups of police scoured the scrub-covered hills and valleys, but there was no sign of the miners. No Interference at Mine. Whether yesterday’s fatal encounter has caused the men to realise the odds against which they are fighting, or whether this almost eerie calm is a lull before another storm, are matters for conjecture. Reports reached the police camp early to-day that pickets had been stationed along the road from Branxton, but these proved to be unfounded. There was not a miner in sight before 8 a.m., and work at the colliery was continued without interference. The police force, which it is revealed wafe numerically weak during yesterday’s attack, is four times as strong to-day. Reinforcements arrived from Sydney during the night, and the scene at the camp this morning was reminiscent of a battalion about to encamp during the war days. Constables in Camp. > There is a feeling at the mine that the present force could deal with any emergency. Constables and officers are living under camp conditions at the entrance to the mine property. They do not mind sleeping in tents, or even the open—that is part of a day’s job for them—but they have conscientious objections to the flies and mosquitoes, which, according to nearly every man, seem intent on eating them alive. The camp is pitched beside a mudtinted pond, but the fact that the water is not cool makes no difference. The pool is wet, and that is the main thing in this warm district. And really it is warm in more senses than one. Township in Mourning. Greta, a few miles from Branxton, is in mourning for the Greta miner who lost his life in yesterday’s clash. From the time of the last encounter with the police, miners trekked back over the dusty roads to the little township, and the death of a comrade was the big topic of conversation last night. Local miners will probably march behind the hearse when the funeral is held. Minister at Rothbury. The Minister for Mines (Mr Weaver) was at Rothbury colliery early to-day. Wearing a khaki duck suit, he looked worried as he walked from the manager’s office. The Minister was escorted to a big touring car, which disappeared in the direction of Branxton. While the miners’ leaders have counselled moderation in their addresses to the men, they have all condemned Mr Weaver for his action in introducing free labour at Rothbury. There is an easier feeling in the volunteer camp, now that the police battalion is strong. Free labourers went about their jobs to-day as if nothing untoward had happened. They took no part in yesterday’s encounter. Large consignments of provisions were unloaded from a special train at Rothbury siding this morning. With the additional police and 150 more volunteers who arrived yesterday, stores disappear quickly and the camp cooks are kept on the move. Police were detailed to-day to watch the Rothbury-Branxton road, and, throughout the morning, white helmets and blue caps could be seen moving through the scrub.