FIREMEN CAUSE TROUBLE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1926, 8 December 1913, Page 8

FIREMEN CAUSE TROUBLE.

I RUSH S.S. KIA ORA'S GANGWAY FIREMAN'S RECKLESS LEAP, STEAMER SAILS FOR HOtjVIEi Trouble was expected from a certain scetionof tho crew of tho Shaw, Savill, liner Kia Ora on Saturday, and theso anticipations were realised. It was the eve of tho vessel's departure for London, and the work of loading her with valuable freight was almost completed. Tho local officials of tho company had been advised that certain proposals wero about to bo put before the firemen and trimmers, with the object of inducing them to leave their ship at tho last moment, and thus prevent the Kia Ora leaving port. Realising .that thero would bo trouble, the order went forth that all leave be stopped. Prior to this, however, a.bout half a dozen men had gone ashore, and as they returned to the ship's sida they wero promptly informed of the position by their comrades on board. Naturally, the men, who liad gained their liberty wore not inclined to give it up too soon. So they immediately went up town again. During the afternoon'it was evident that thero was discontent in tho forward part of tho ship. Tho mon congregated in groups, and discussed tho situation. Complaints were made against leave being stopped. Between 5 and 6 p.m. the trosiblo camo to a head, when about twenty firemen and trimmers, led by four or five others, rushed tho gangway. Four policemen were on duty, together with the officers and somo of the engineers of the Kia Ora. Down the deck camo the firemen and trimmers'in a body. They wero beaten back by those on duty, and the polico threatened to draft' their batons if further provocation was given With one exception, the beaten firemen slunk back. This one was determined to get ashore, and before anyone could stop him ho mounted tho ship's rail. With a .yell ho sprang to the wharf —a drop of between 18 to '20 feet. He had a miraculous escape from being killed, as in falling ho just missed a truck of partly unloaded flax. Tho would-bo leave-breaker landed on tho wharf in a heap. ■Ho was picked up by bystanders, and conveyed to the sido of a shed and made as comfortablo as circumstances permitted. Dr. Linklater, of tho Arawa, who happened to be passing, examined the fireman, and found that he ivas suffering from y a broken ankle and several bruises. Subsequently ho was' removed to tho Hospital, There was 110 further trouble from tho crowd on board.

Strike Agitator Prominent. Later on in tho evening, however, the men who had been on shore returned in one's and two's. One or two members of the half-dozen showed no inclination to go on board, however. About 10 p.m. it bccamo evident that there was somo move on foot, and a little later ono of tho crew of tho Nero* liana, a prominent striker, and tho bos'n of tho Kia Ora camo down, the wharf. Tho striker managed to elude the men on duty, and he got on board. It was quite evident that he was thero for business, but unfortunately for him he was' discovered before ho had timo to "address", the Kia Ora's firemen aiicr trimmers, and the agitatoij was promptly put ashoro and ordered off the-wharf. Towards midnight tho whole of the Kia Ora's crew wero on boatd. and the vessel sailed for London at 5 0..311. yesterday with two men over her compleme/it. If had been needed several Arbitrationists would havo willingly filled any vacant positions.