THE ERA OF EXTRAVAGANCE 283 



meanour that the temporary workers had for their own protection 

 to be housed and fed on the premises. In spite of all efforts the 

 supply of gas could not be kept up, and on 28th August the city was 

 in darkness all night. Public indignation stirred the Government 

 to action on the following day for the preservation of the peace. 

 Many men seeking employment at the gas-works had been driven 

 back, ducked in water troughs, and otherwise maltreated. 



The strikers had arranged to hold a mass meeting on Sunday, 

 23rd August, in Flinders Park, adjoining the city, and as it was 

 probable in the exciting conditions that such a meeting might, even 

 unintentionally, degenerate into a riot, the Government called in 

 all the police that could be spared from the country districts, where 

 the feeling was almost unanimously against the strikers. They 

 further quartered 200 of the Mounted Eifles in the Metropolis, and 

 arranged for various volunteer corps to be ready in barracks if 

 required. The Mayor called upon citizens to enrol themselves as 

 special constables, and within a few days quite 2,000 had been sworn 

 in. Finally, the Premier caused a proclamation by the Governor 

 to be placarded throughout the city and suburbs, setting forth the 

 provisions of the Unlawful Assembly Act, and calling upon all people 

 to assist in protecting those pursuing their lawful calling from out- 

 rage and molestation. 



The mass meeting was largely attended. The Committee of 

 Finance and Control stated in their report that there were 60,000 

 people present. Mr. Trenwith, a member of that body, when 

 formulating in the Assembly a charge against the Government of 

 having attempted to overawe free discussion by a display of military 

 force, assessed the number at 100,000. Probably half that num- 

 ber would be nearer the mark, for even that would mean one-fourth 

 of the adult population of the city and suburbs. No one man could 

 address such an audience, and though the authorised speakers were 

 fairly moderate in their tone, there were several orators of what 

 became known as the " Yarra Bank " type, whose denunciation of 

 employers and capital were suggestive of the Commune and the days 

 of the Terror. This braggadocio fustian failed, however, to kindle any 

 riotous demonstration, and the handful of police actually present 

 were not called upon to interfere. Probably half the gathering was 



