SHIPPING TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 97, 18 January 1919, Page 8

SHIPPING TROUBLE

CONTINUED SHORTAGE OF FIREMEN

MAORI LEAVES FOR LYTTELTON

The ferry steamer Maori left for Lyttelton last night at 8.15 o'clock, with a minimum complement of twelve men in the stokehold. There was doubt about the boat getting away until the last moment, mid the Union Company had arranged that if necessary the Monowni should take the run in order that passengers might be conveyed to Lyttelton.

Twelve firemen were required to enable tho Maori to go south at reduced speed. Eleven were engaged without difficulty at union rates, the company being firm in its determination not to take any more of tho "runners" at exorbitant charges. The shore officers iiad great difficulty in finding a twelfth man, and did not secure him until later in the afternoon.

There was another hitch at sailing time. Two of the men who had been engaged did not appear, and tho officers had to seek substitutes. They succeeded in securing two more firemen on the wharf under the anxious eyea of passengers, and the Maori left the Ferry Wharf half an hour late.

The shortage of firemen affected other vessels than the Maori, yesterday. Tho Mapourika, which was duo to-leave at a quarter to one for Picton and (Nelson, was delayed over an hour and a half while men were being sought, She got away eventually with a full complement.

There was difficulty also in the case of the Toftta. Tin's steamer, which was leaving for Adelaide with most of the stranded Australians, was short of a fireman at the last moment. An engineer managed to engage a man from among several firemen who were on the wharf.

MARAROA TIED UP. FIREMEN COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR QUARTERS.. By Telegraph—Press Association. Chrlstchurch, January 17.

At noon to-day there was apparently little hopo that the Mararoa. would be dispatched to Wellington this evening. Soon after her arrival at Lyttelton this morning nine firemen and two trimmers signed off. Provided six firemen aro obtained the Mararoa will make the passage to Wellington with two boilers short. .. ~ .'"-.'. " Later. Tho ferry steamer Mararoa. is hung up at Lyttelton to-night, being unable to sail for Wellington owing to shortage of firemen. The firemen complain about their quarters, and say they will not sail in the ship until tha conditions are improved. Soon after the vessol's arrival at Lyttelton this • morning nine firemen and two trimmers signed off.- ■ "The men who came aslioro this morning are runners," said Mr. Sleigh, tho local manager of. the Union Company, to-day. "They receive £2 a day, but the company has decided to have no more runners, and jf the men will not accept the agreement ratua of pay the ships arc going to be tied up."