Blackball 08 — 100 Years On
This easter weekend Blackball celebrated its rich militant worker's history with the centennial of the 1908 strike…
A good turnout in the rather isolated Blackball kicked off the weekends events, aimed at celebrating the 11 week strike, which, 100 years earlier, helped strengthen the rights of miners, workers and unionism throughout the country.
[ Read full report ]
Links: Celebration Invitation | The Blackball Museum of
Working Class History | The History of Blackball | "Trouble Makers" - Anarchism and Syndicalism. The early years of the Libertarian Movement in Aotearoa / New Zealand
Biographies of prominent strikers: Pat Hickey | Robert "Bob" Semple | Patrick "Paddy" Webb
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Re: Blackball 08 — 100 Years On
Song by mr sterile Assembly, wellington music makerss, commemoratin the centenary of the blackball strike..
the song can be ownloaded from the mp3 page at www.skirted.net
15 Minute Crib
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Tucked into the West Coast,
next door to the river Grey.
There's hard work and it’s dangerous
working down the hole. Mining coal.
What want is half an hour,
fifteen minute crib is not enough.
Had to strike for eleven weeks
for this time just to sit and eat. Rest our feet.
The case became the nation’s news,
management settled out of sight.
The judge imposed a hefty fine,
for this cheek an example made. We will not pay.
Power hates embarrassment,
employed by courts are repo-men
Taking stuff from striker’s homes,
to auction of at any price. Cops supervised.
Who will, who, who will bid, bid now.
There’s bicycles, sewing machines,
furniture and precious things.
Come on round.
Who will, who, who will bid, bid now.
There’s cutlery, mother’s porcelain,
picture frames, and fine hat tins.
Come on round.
Who will, who, who will bid, bid now.
All right now come gather round,
we’re gonna start, here and now.
First this bike, an open bid,
who will start at 12 quid?
All agaze, but none are willing.
“C’mon, c'mon sir”,
“1 Shilling”.
Make a plan then into Grey',
make sure no-one else got in.
Seven-five was the going goal,
But 13 quid is all we paid. With smallest change.
So tucked into the West Coast,
below ground savor victory,
above ground it is hard but home.
So three cheers for the strikers all. In Blackball hall.