THE FIRST STRIKE ON LOCAL WATERFRONT (ROCKHAMPTON)
FROM OUR BACK FILES (Undated, and no source available but James Manly is officially listed as the licencee of the Prince of Wales hotel in Rockhampton 1878 – 1879)
“Pioneer’s” account of the first local strike was read with great interest by members of both the past and present generations, but his admission that he is not too clear on dates and how the incident finished – it was way back in November 1878 – has caused other pioneers to ask “Now, what was the date of that incident?” and “How did it all end?”. In order to answer these queries we have looked up our back files to check dates and to ascertain what was the actual outcome of the indignation of the local residents. It appears that the action of the old A.S.N. Company roused the ire of the public throughout the Eastern States and the trouble arose as stated through the company’s decision to employ Chinese labour. The ship mentioned by “Pioneer” was not the “Leichardt” but the “Boomerang” and the Captain’s name was Durrell. When the vessel attempted to tie up to the wharf the ropes were flung back and it was only the appearance of the Police Magistrate Mr. Pugh ……. on …. and the police under Sub-Inspector Collopy came in for criticism for their part in the affair. They did not take any action against the residents at the actual landing, and a meeting of justices was called to discuss what action should be taken. Some of the justices condemned the action of the police, but a public meeting of the citizens, held for the purpose of protesting against the company’s policy of using Chinese labour, considered that the police had, by wisely restraining from interfering, saved what might have been a serious riot, if not, loss of life.
The demonstrations on the wharf had their sequel in subsequent sittings of the Police Court, when a publican named James Manly (“Pioneer” mentioned Phil Ilott) was charged with inciting to riotous conduct. The Mr. Pugh mentioned by “Pioneer” was proceeded against by the chief officer of the “Boomerang” for assault but there was no mention of this or the tail incident or the reward being collected in Court but it was not so in Manly’s case. A man named Henry Milford was proceeded against for inciting a person to cut one of the ship’s ropes and another man named John Crawford Johnston, a cordial manufacturer, was fined on a charge of destruction of property. Others were also proceeded against for assaulting Captain Durrell and his ship in too enthusiastic a manner.
The captain’s version of the arrival of the “Boomerang” was given in Manly’s case. He stated that on arrival on the morning of the 26th he sent two Chinamen ashore with the headline, and on their getting on shore there was some opposition but they eventually placed the rope on the pile. When the side ropes were thrown on the wharf posts they were removed by the crowd. He believed there were 1500 persons present who were shouting and hooting. One rope was eventually made fast by Mr Hartley and he (the Captain) then tied one under the wharf out of the reach of the crowd. While doing this one of the crowd attempted to strike him. He returned to the ship and on putting another rope over the pile it was removed by a man named Pugh. As the boat was pretty safe he let matters remain as they were until the afternoon when, with the protection of the police, the rope was made fast. About 6 o’clock stones were thrown on board but he did not know whether any of the crew were hit. At night the crowd pelted him with all sorts of filth and refuse and he had to take shelter on the opposite side of the companion-way. About 10 o’clock he found the after rope cut and the other ropes cast off, but as the steamer was aground at the time, she did not move. He sent for the police and they soon arrived and retied one of the ropes. When the flood tide came the steamer rose and the wind blew her forward. The crowd shouted “Hurrah! Now she’s gone.” Witness was obliged to go astern and, in doing so, he smashed portion of the wharf and off the ship’s quarter. He could not go on the bridge, having to keep under cover. It was so dark at the time that he could hardly see the wharf and the stones were being thrown, particularly thick. He went ahead and the steamer grinded over the rocks. A parting volley of stones were thrown after him and he eventually anchored in mid-stream opposite the Government wharf.
Detective Long deposed to the defendant saying that he would give a pound for a Chinaman’s pigtail. Frederick Godard also deposed to the words being used, with the difference that 20 pounds instead of 1 pound was offered for the appendage of the Celestial.
The bench was of the opinion that a case for committal had not been made out, but the defendant’s conduct was to be reprehended.
The defendant was accordingly discharged.
Contributed by the Great-grandaughter of the defendant, James Manly.
Julia Duncan