On 12 November 1912, striking-unionist Frederick George Evans was fatally wounded, becoming the first person to die during an industrial dispute in New Zealand. Known as 'Black Tuesday', the event led to the violent end of the Waihi Strike, which had begun six months earlier.

Local police initially took a low-key response to the dispute, and there was little conflict in the town. Local Inspector Wright wrote on 12 August that:

“not one act of lawlessness of any kind has been committed, and so far as can be judged at present there is no reason to expect anything of the kind in the immediate future. The strike Executive have assisted the Police in warning the men to conduct themselves properly, and they would, I am convinced, have resented any increase of Police at Waihi - they have taken pride in the fact that no breach of the peace has occurred since the strike and understanding their feeling I have thought it best not to strengthen the staff there… as long as the Mine owners do not attempt to open the mines with new hands I see no more reason to expect violence now than during the past eleven weeks.”

But as November telegrams show, Police Commissioner John Cullen took a partisan role in supporting the mine owners and strike-breakers, who began work at the mine in October. He encouraged the strike-breakers to parade to the mine as a group, and used Police to protect them. As a result, tensions grew, leading to the death of Frederick Evans and strikers and their families being driven out of Waihi.

This letter from the local Director of the Waihi Goldmining Company asks Cullen to attend a meeting on 8 November. Cullen wrote in a telegram later that day, that he "thought it was quite time for the workers to show their strength and advised the mine authorities to carry act the demonstration which was very successful. A further demonstration will take place tomorrow so as to give the workers confidence in themselves and their surroundings." (www.flickr.com/photos/archivesnz/32866807424).

Archives New Zealand Reference: P1 Box 298/ 1912/861 archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=20119983