S.S. WESTRALIA HELD UP

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2638, 8 December 1915, Page 6

S.S. WESTRALIA HELD UP

FIREMEN CAUSE TROUBLE. The Huddatt-Parkcr steamer Westraua, ivhich was to have sailed last evening for northern ports, was prevented from doing so on account of the action of her stokehold crew. During the Christmas season last year this vessel was employed on the East Coast service. Subsequently slie returned to Australia, and has been engaged in tlio mtor-State trade. It was decided recently to place her again in tho New Zealand coastal sorvice, and with this object in view the vessel was made ready at Melbourne to proceed to New Zealand. Trouble ensued with her crew in regard to the articles of agreement winch had to be signed, and the vessel was delayed a considerable time ill her departure. She managed' to get away, however, with the understanding that those members of her crew who so desired would bo paid off in New Zealand and their passages paid back to their port of embarkation. Tho vessel arrived at Dunedin last Thursday, and the crew dccided to bring her up to Wellington. Oil arrival here yesterday morning' arrangements were made to enter the crew under New Zealand articles of agreement. On this being done several of the Westralia's complement did not wish to seek re-engagement, and the result was that substitutes had to be found. The Huddart-Parker Company applied to the Seamen's Union for the men, and at 5 p.m. yesterday the ship had her complement, with the exception of one fireman and one trimmer. When. sailing time came it "was found that one of the stokehold crew, who had signed on during the day, was missing. Endeavours were made to replace the three men without result, and an offer was made to' the remainder of the crew that' if they "jpuld take the ship away, the wanes of the three men in question would be split up between them for the run to Auckland, where, it was stated,',tho whole matter would be settled. This' offer the crew refused. It was pointed out that under the Act the Westralia should carry nine firemen, three trimmers, and threo greasers. The last time she was on the New Zealand coast the company generously acceded to the union's demands to carry nine firemen, six trimmers, and three greasers. Although, according to law tho westralia is at present fully manned, the stokehold crew has refused to sail in_ her' till throe extra mon are supplied. Therefore, the consignees of cargo, and passengers for northern ports have been , put to much inconvenience and the vessel still lies tied up to the Taranaki Street .Wharf pending a settlement of the difficulty. The Westralia was not the only steamer inconvenienced by firemen in Wellington yesterday. The ferry steamer Mararoa did not get away for Lyttelton for fully ten minutes after her advertised time of sailing, ml account of a shortage in her stokehold crew.