SHIPPING HOLD-UP

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 115, 9 February 1920, Page 5

SHIPPING HOLD-UP

MAORI SAILS TO-NIGHT

FERRY SERVICE BACK TO NORMAL

Prompt action was taken !>y the Union Steam Ship Company on Saturday to relieve the inconvenience caused the jmblic by the hold-up of the Maori, with the result that during the week end those desirous of goii\g south had their Tnsihes fulfilled. The Mapimrika got away on Saturday night with passengers, when sho should have been 011 Hie way to New Plymouth to receive a '.hipment of cheese for export overseas. The Mono■wai loft at 5 a.m. yesterday, also taking passengers for Lyt'tolton and .Dnnedin, and the Mararoa, which urrivixl yesterday morning, returned ijOtith in Ihe evening in order to keop up her regular running. The Union Company anticipate that the ferry service will bo at normal to-day, •when the Maori will lie dispatched for 'the southern port and the Mararoa va:l "Bait from Lyttelton. A repair staff from the Union Company'.-; yards worked at the defects in the "Maori's boilers during the week-end, and up to yesterday everything pointed to tho fact that the-service would bo in full swing again to-day. The diversion of the Mapourlka. from the New Plymouth run has caused inconvenience to shippers, but- the company hop® to be able to dispatch the vessel this evening for the West Coast port.

THE MAORI'S BOILERS

MEN'S ACCOUNT'OF THE TROUBLE.

Mr. J. Denton, representing the firemen on tho Maori, alleged last evening .that the statments published 011 Saturday ffid not correctly represc-nt the position ot the men, and ho made tho following statement . ' "Tho boilers have been in a very bad condition for tho last tivo months. It has been very ha.r<( work to get up and 111'aintain steam. 011 January 3 we arrived at Lyttelton aA 2 o'clock, and we. only mado thi;< time by double-banking—that is, ane of tho watches off duty had to work. If it had been rough weather we could not have got up sufficient steam. In an interview with a Christchurch newspaper, Mr. G. H. Sleigli (manager for the Union Company at Christchurch) 6f.it! that the reason for the, Maori be;ng late -was tho very poor quality of tho coal and not the defective bo*lets, as had been rumoured—all the boilers were leaking on that day and have been leaking ever since. "On Thursday last—we were at I.yt« telton at the time—wo had planks on coal about six inches above tho stokehold plates owing to the boiling water. This was necessary, otherwise the men ■would (have been standing iu the water. The water was gsaping from the boilers. We considered the ship unfit to go to sea, and this was intimated to the chief engineer. We understood we could get her back and forward in smooth water only, but we thought that on recount, of -'lie passengers ire should not" put to sea. The chief asked us to take her Lack to give the company n chance to get another ship in her place. Wo agreed to this, and arrived in Wellington i-n Fri.'ny. The chief engineer sent for me—l viis acting as the crew' 6 spokesman—and I saw liirn and Mr.. Patterson (superintending engineer ashore). I explained our case to him, and he a a ked if we co'ild not keep her running until such time as the Waliins could relieve, 'lliis would mean about a week or more. In view of the position as outlined we refused. After about 10 minutes I was called back by the chief, and he stated that Mr. Patterson had given him a proposal te nut to us. He said: 'Go and find out if they will be willing to keep the ship here till Monday, making: her usual run on Mondav night. We will put the boilcrmakers into her to do what they can to her. in the way of repairs between now and Monday.' Then if sho opens out on Tuesday (meaning should the boilers leak) would you be willing to take her to Port Chalmers for repairs?' "After a consultation with, the men, I said we were agreeable. Nothing further was said in the matter between the officers and the men. Tho men •went about their usual work and at Bight the passengers came aboard. About sailing time, when the gangway was about to be lowered, the firemen •walked off. I was sent for and wps interviewed by several of the company's officers, including the general manager (Mr. Kennedy), the chief engineer, and Mr. Patterson, who implored us *0 take the ship out to get the company out of n hole.

"I pointed out fclint the company had made a bargain with us and we meant to stick to it. Mr. Patterson denied having ever made the agreement. Afterwards' on the wharf, lie exnlained that he had not had the authority- to mni™ the ag'-ecment lie h<kK The ship did not sail, and the firemen were ordered to draw the fires. The boilermakers nut aboard and are at work' now. I should like to sar that I have worked from Fridav night til] 9.30 on Saturday morning and from 8 till 6 on Sunday, and T ""ill ho working from 0-on Sunday night till some time Monday morning. Th<re are 15 hoilermnkers and five of their labourers.'find five firemen, working at the Tenairincr of the hollers. The company had plenty of time to make ananeements. as the chief engineered telegraphed up from Lvtteltmi.'

PERRY SERVICE TO BE MAINTAINED

By TRVgvfcph—Press Association.

Dunadin, February 7. Officials of tho Union Company state that the ferry sen-ices will be maintained. Tho Maori is expeofed to leave Wellington on Monday evening, and will leave Lvttelton on arrival of the second express from Dunedin on Wednesday evening. She will then resumo her usual running. Tn compliance with the requests of the crew tho Mararoa was thoroughly' fumigated at Lyttelton, and leases Lyttelton to-night on the arrival of tho second express from Dunedin. She will be dispatched from Wellington on Sunday afternoon, leaving Lyttelton again on arrival of the first express from the south on Monday evening. Extra steamers are to be provided during the week-end. The Monowni. leaves Wellington tbi? evening for Lyttelton and Dunedin. The Mapourika also "-ill bo dispatched from Wellington to-night for Lyttelton. The latter leaves Lyttelton on tho return trip to-morrow afternoon.