SERIOUS MINING RIOT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9398, 26 March 1898, Page 6

SERIOUS MINING RIOT.

Sir John Forrest Assaulted.

{By Eluctric Telegraph — Gopyright.) (Per United Press Association.) (Received March 25, at 9.45 a.m.) Stone*, March 25. Sir John Forrest, Premier, and a Ministerial party returned here after opening the railway to Jlenzies. A deputation waited on the Premier, •with reforence to the alluvial mining difficulty. \?hen the Premier's visit was fixed tho mineis began to flock in, and ■when the train arrived with the party fully ten thousand mineis with bands and banner^ gathered at the railway station. The Governor went on to Coolgardie, Tjut Sir John Forrest went to Wilkie's hotel,* wheie he received n daputation of diggers who hooted him all the way, and then attempted to take possession of the hotel. The police, however, frustrated this, and an appeal was made to the Premier to repeal the ton feet regulation and release the men imprisoned at once. After listening patiently Sir John Forrest said 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 seconded this'suggestion. Sir John Forrest said the men persisted in stating that they wore obeying law and order. If so, they must obey the Court's decrees, and he would not be bustled into any action. He must have the law obeyed. Regarding amendments of the law, he said ho would consider it in Cabinet and give an ansv/er in a week. By this time the crowd outside had become tuibulent, and several of the deputation went out to try and pacify them." One of the Bulong residents said—" Sir John, allow me to tell you your answer is most unsatisfactory. We want your opinion on the 10ft regulation, and also a definite answer to our appeal for the four men's release." ' The Premier got angry, and descended the stairs of the hotel intending to go to tho Boulder to receive a deputation, also to visit Viow Lake and tho View Consols Mine. Wlion he got outsido the hotel he was rushed. Thousands pressed on him aud he was hit in the face and bruised inside, despite the efforts of the police. At length he managed to reach the rail■way station, bat the diggers held possession, and it was impossible to get the door open. By this time tho Premier was much knocked about. Tho warden seeing the Premier's life waa in danger road the Eiot Act, and mounted troopers rode the crowd down and galloped away for muskets. By the time they returned the door of tho station had been forced and the Premier having got through the door it Vvas banicailed against the mob. The Premier having entered a carriage the train steamed towards the Boulder, but healing that the rails had been torn up the train returned to Kalgoorlie and thence to Peith. Sir John Forrest says he is sorry ho 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 is the most serious mining riot since that at the Eureka Stockade at Ballarat.