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Story: Public protest

Specials' march

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Specials' march

During the 1913 waterfront dispute, Wellington wharfies (waterside workers) took over the wharves and stopped shipping there. The government called in special constables – many of them farm workers – to restore order and protect the main ports. These 700 mounted special constables are riding along Oxford Street in Christchurch on their way to Lyttelton to ensure strikebreakers can continue to work the wharves.

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Christchurch City Libraries

Reference: CCL PhotoCD2, IMG0031

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How to cite this page

Ben Schrader, Public protest – Destructive and violent protests, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/35107/specials-march (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Ben Schrader, published 7 May 2012.