SHIPPING HOLD-UP

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 114, 7 February 1920, Page 6

SHIPPING HOLD-UP

FERRY SERVICE DISLOCATED MAORI'S FIREMEN REFUSE WORK MARAROA QUARANTINED Without the slightest warning the Wel-lington-LyttcUqn lmy service which is being maintained by tho Maori and tho Mararoa came to an abrupt standstill last evening owing to the action of sections of the crews of tho vessel. In the case of the Maori, which was to have left Wellington at 7.45 o'clock last evening, the lire-men refused to fire Ihb ship, until some alleged trouble with tho boilers was repaired, and the Mararoa was held up at Lyttelton because tha seamen demanded that the vessel should undergo fumigation I'm twenty-four hours on account of a case of iiiiiuenza ■on the vessel. In consequence/ of tho hold-up of the Maori live hundred passengers were stranded in the city last night. The position regarding the Maori was given to a Dominion representative last evening by Mr. W. A. Kennedy, local manager of tho liir.on Steam Ship Company. "The position was," he stated, "that the firemen of the Maori on arrival this .morning complained that then) was 601110 trouble with the vessel's boilers and they. declined to take tho ship to sea until the necessary repairs were affected.

"On tho recommendation of the _ general executive of the Seamen's Union two Government inspectors of tho Marino Department (Messrs. Suisted and Heloy) wcie called in to report upon the conJiwere called in to report i.pou the condition of tho boilers, and both gave- a certificate to the effect that the. boilers were sound and that tho ship was seaworthy. They even went so i'ar as to offer to accompany tho vessel to Lyttelton as a guarantee'' of their faith in tho seaworthiness of tho vessel. However, in spito of the recommendation of the Seamen's Union and the certificates of ths Government surveyors, tho firemen of the ship refused lo take her to sea. In consequence of this five hundred Passengers were held up in Wellington. . -'Intending passengers," .continued Mr. Kennedy, "are recommended to call at tho company's oliices to-morrow morning to ascertain what arrangements aro being mad? for conveying them south. "I would like to say," concluded Mr. Kennedy, "that tho executive of the Seamen's Union have done everything possible to cot the ship away to-night, but Ihn action of the firemen Tendered this impossible." , , . , , ~• * 11: is understood that although the firemen obiccted to lak? the ship lo Lyttelton thev had .'no objection to laking her from Wellington lu Port Chalmers lor repairs. Traffic Arrangements. Lato last evening the Union Company announced that, if was probable that the Mapourika would be sent, south tliia evening to relieve tho situation. Arrangements are also being made to send the. Monowai south oil Sunday morning. The present position is that the Monowai is fixed to sail at 5 a.m. to-morrow. It is honed that tho Mararoa will ho able to leave Lyttelton this evening, and atrive in port Id-morrow morning. .If this eventuates tho Mararoa. will lx> sent south again on Sunday afternoon in order lo cone with tho traffic. The Union Company request that only those passengers who have urgent business will make tho trip.

MARAROA HELD UP

MEN DEMAND FUMIGATION OF SHIP. ,By Telegraph-Press Association.' Chrlstchiirch, Febninry G. An ordinary seaman on tho ferry • steamer Ma raroii' reported sick this morn- / ins. The doctor diagnosed the trouble ns a mild case of influenza. The man was ablo to walk to the train to go into hospital in Christchurch, The men's quarters in tho Jlararpa vrero fumieatcd during; the day, and tho union ofticials were agreeable to the men failinz in the ship to-night, but the men themselves refused to go until the vessel had been thoroughly fumigated from end to end. The whole of tho crew went ashore, nnd fumigation work is being carried out to-night. \ The Marai'oa's sailing for Wellington has been postponed till to-morrow night. The Wakatu took tho North Island mails, but she calls at Kaikouia, and will not: reach Wellington until to-mor-row night.