COALING A WHALER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1501, 25 July 1912, Page 6

COALING A WHALER.

A STEWART ISLAND SENSATION.

ALLEGED ENCOUNTER,

DISAGREEMENT AS TO PAYMENT. ■ IB; Tdeerarh—Pren AiieelstLß.: Invercargill, July 14. Tha Bluff "Press" states that a sensation occurred . at. Stewart Island in connection with the coaling of the Norwegian whalers at Paterson's Inlet.. The s.s. Ngatoro, from Westporf, brought 400 tons of ooal for the Norwegians on Thursday anil commenced discharging into the barque Mimosa at-I'aterson s Inlet. rThe time allotted for discharge was 48 hours, hut Captain. .Christian did fast .work aiul the work was completed in 12 hours. It appears that. Captain Didricksen, of tho Mimosa, declined to pay over on completion of discharge, maintaining that as 48 hours hiul been allotted the Ngatoro belonged to him on charter for that period, and he would not allow her to leave. Mr. Ciraines, representing the coal company/protested, lind the chief officer (Mr. Muir) late captain of .tlie. Ennerdalo, went over to.the Jfimosa to interview Captain Dulrickseii and demand' payment. ■ Tt ij alleged that words arose and ended in a'more serious encounter. Captain Didricksen still refused to pay. : : On Saturday morning Captain Christian and Mr. Muir.''■ boarded the Miuiosa and ' waited cji Captain in his cabim It -is alleged that the captain threatened to eject them, and that Muir/ a-powerful man, had again to use fdrce to obviate injury. Captain Didricksan still refused to pay over and Captain Christian said lie Would demand,;, it through the Admiralty Court. • • • The Ngatoro then weighed anchor and. took a turn round the Mimosa before leaving for., the Bluff. As they were leaving Captain Didricksen put off in 'a boat and boarded the Ngato'ro to go to the Bluff. Mr. Graines took out a writ of attachment through the Admiralty Court and Sheriff.C'olyer held it. Captain Didricksen was given until G. 30 on Saturday night to pay over, together 'with ,£ls 15s. costs. He did not do so. On Sunday ho was threatened with the seizure of his vessel and ho then paid over, costs having in the-meantime amounted to between £10 and ,£SO. The Ngatoro left for on Sunday morning to load coal for s.s. Nairnshire at Lyttelton.