TWO STOWAWAYS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 106, 7 May 1934, Page 11

TWO STOWAWAYS

FRKiHT FOR A : STOKER

The phrase a "nigger 5n the vfoddpile"' had an. almost literal meaning" for one of the stokers on the liner Tainui,.which arrived At Wellington on Saturday from England, via Auckland: incidentally, the stoker received what was perhaps thej fright of his life. . : ■ j

Shortly after the ship cleared the Panama Canal the stoker was working in one of the bunkers when he found there was something more than- coal.to be handled. .The cause of his surprise was a negro who had hidden himself in. -. the bunker when the ship was at Panama. In the course of explanations it was found that the negro was trying to get to New York, but had selected the wrong ship. A professional step-dancer by, occupation, he not only entertained the crew, during the Jonely'trip across the Pacific, but also made himself quite useful about the ship. '. Another Panama stowaway which was not so popular was a cat carrying the markings of a dozen breeds in what remained of the:fur on its Dattle-scarred hide.' An attempt was made to get rid of it on Saturday, but it was found on board again after having been consigned to the deep. The explanation of its escape was that a coal-hulk was "alongside the ship, and the. cat,. instead o£ falling into the harbour, .dropped on to the-hulk. From there it was little trouble for a really tough Mexican* to r'etn'rh" on board. .