THE WATERFRONT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1924, 5 December 1913, Page 8

THE WATERFRONT.

EVERY NEW MAN ENGAGED.

TO-DAY'S BIG BERTH LIST.

Every man borne on the rosters of the new union was at work on tbo wharves yesterday. Altogether 131'2 were- employed. Tho Harbour Hoard alone had over -163 bands on duty. Yesterday's additions to tho new union havo brought tbo roster up to 18151). Of this number 200 are at sea and about 300 havo returned to their homes in the country.

No word of complaint in regard to tho charge of sixpence per bed and meal has been received from the men. Seen yesterday Mr. AY. 0. Long, tho secretary of the union, stated that rise committee which is to ailot tlio free bunks had not yet been appointed. Ho wished it to be distinctly understood, however, that country members only will have this privilege extended to them. As far as the new unionists avo concerned there will be plenty of employment ofioriny to-day.

The Work Ta-Oay. Nino oversea vessels will work to-day. Tlioy arc: Tahiti, Canada Capo, Tokomaru, Aorangi, Arawa, Norehaua, Hercules, Mnritai, and Kia Ora. In addition there 11 ill be 17 coasters. working cargo and altogether there will bo '2'i vessels at the berths. The new arrivals which will number eleven are as follow:— Kamona, Wahine, Opawa, Waimca, Jlapuurika, Aorangi, Kapuni, N'orehana, Mimitaiigi, Kapiti, and Jiitlawa. Today's list is n,s follows:— Tons. Tons. Kereliana ... ltf.KO Kitta-wa 1,247 Arawa 9,372 Jlauourika ... 1.20J Tahiti 7,525 I'oneruu 1,175 Murriai 6,6:30 Wahuca- <!<!5 Kia Ora 6,560 i'miki 409 Tokomaru 6.K38, Aivahou 409 Canada, Capo... 4,2ii-5 ,1-oUn c 42 Aoraim , 1,263 ISimiiailgl 335 Hercules J. 759 Kaniti ' 268 Wahine 3,i93 ilampnpapa,- .... 164 Mavaroa 2.593 Kapujii 153 Katoa- 2,'iCO Maiiaroa 122 ll.Jl.fi. PsydM. 2,135 Opawa, 110 Arahura 1.696 Falcon 95 Kamona 1/.25 T!w most important arrival in port yesterday was tiic Union Company's liner Tahiti, from San Francisco. As boon as she- berthed at the Queen's Wharf, discharge of her 12O0U tons or general cargo was commenced. The vessel brought a largo cargo of fniit, consisting of I'J,OUU eases of apples, IL'.OUU eases of orange!!, 200 cases of pears, 110 tons of canned fruit, 7t) tons of dried fruits, and a largo quantity of fr.iit from Itaratonga. An air of briskness prevailed all over the wharves, and the, work of 'loading and discharging numerous vessels of the "mosquito" ilcct went ahead rapidly. Tile U.S. and A, lino's chartered steamer Sturmfcls got- rid of tho Wellington portion of her New York cargo, and cleared for southern ports. The Aorangi will arrive from Sydney today, and after taking in freight she will continue her journey to San Francisco to-morrow. Tho Tyscr liner Noreliana is also <l«c in port to-cb.v. She, will berth at the Glasgow Wharf, where Homeward loading will be completed. It h anticipated that tho Kia Ora will be dispatched for London to-morrow. Tho Union Company's Policnm and Kamona will be receiving transhipments to-day, and the Wabino will take fruit ex the Tahiti to l.yttelton. A large oii'nitity of fish, which the llimitangi has brought up from the Chatham Islands,- will lie discharged from that vessel to-dty. Seamen ami Firemen's Attitude. It was rumoured that the. Tahiti's seamen and firemen were likely to cause .11 cubic'oil her to-day or 10-morrmv. On iuqim-les being- made on board last evening it was ascertained that the men in quest ion would take tho vessel to Sydney. If tho Tahiti's men did have their ship ibey would be heavy li.sers. All signed on for tho trip from Sydney to San Francisco and_ back, and if they came ashore at Wellington 'each man 'would lose two months' pay, and lie would also bo liable to a month's imprisonment. When the Wills clmi arriied at Wellington from San Francisco a few weeks ago, it was anticipated that her crew would come ashore, but no such action iv»» sftiitemplatcd by tho men. As a- matter or fact, tbo'Wiiloehra's men and those on board tho Tahiti are exactly on tho samo footing. 3t is understood, howover, that somo of tho oversea- steamers now in port aro having difficulties to contend with in regard to their firemen and trimmers." In ono caso 13 men havo boon absent from the ship fur a few days without leave. It is probable that if tliev do not return shortly action will be taken.