Overview
Sat Nov 1
Picking stones in CK p[addock] ready for Laing to plough. In afternoon Father + I rode down to a special meeting of the Horowhenua Farmers’ Union held in the Druid’s Hall to discuss the serious
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wharflabourers strike in W[ellin]gton + necessity of sending farmers’ sons to act as special constables to protect free labourers. A large + enthusiastic crowd – Mr Becher in chair + Mr H J Richards, sec[retary], chief speaker. Two resolutions, supporting action of Gov[ernmen]t + the W'gton employers concerned, were passed. A list of volunteers to act as special constables were [sic] then taken by Constable Bagrie – about 20 names were handed in including self Uncle Bert, 3 Bartholomews, Kingdon, Easther, D S McKnight, Vincent, Parker, Kirkcaldie, Marriott etc. We are to get our horses on special train at 1.30 pm tomorrow + leave for Wgton at 3 pm. Great excitement in Levin. Rode round to Mrs Herd’s in Kawiu Road to tell news + make excuses for not being able to go to dinner to-morrow. All arrangements for our transit + accommodation are to be made by the Government. There seems to be every possibility of serious fighting in W’gton
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on Monday when the steamers are to be unloaded by the free labourers. The strikers are egged on by the anarchist agitators – Semple, Mills, Holland, Young, Hickey. Some gun-play + many acts of violence have already occurred in W'gton.