TROUBLE ON S.S.HINEMOA

Grey River Argus, 12 April 1911, Page 7

TROUBLE ON S.S.HINEMOA

QUESTION AGAIN. Once more trouble lias arisen on board a steamer, just about to leave Well ingrton, in regard to food. This time it Has liapuened on board the Government steamer Hinemoa. It ap pears that the crew have been discontented for some time, and, yesterday, a few minutes before the vessel's departure on her northern lighthouse cruise ,the matter came Fo a .head. * A conference was immediately held in the chart-room between the men and the imaster (Captain Bollons), there 'being- also present ; Mr Georj^o Allport, Secretary of Marine, the cook and the chief steward, of the vessel. The men alleged that the food had not been satisfactory owing to the way in which it liad ibeen served. It had not been cooked properly, and, on one occasion, when: the 'Hinemoa was undergoing" survey and repairs in Lyttleton, the meat, w-as really' tinfit for consumipfiion.i'. They further stated that fresh milk was an unknown quantity, even, in port. Another grievance was -that the nightwatchman could not have access to die cook's galley, owing to die chief steward giving orders that it should be locked during the night. It was contended that, on other vessels, the nightw-atch/man could always enter the .galley, and brew himself a pot of coffee or tea, but on board" the Hinemoa (no matter Avhether the vessel was at anchor or alongside the wharf) this privilege was denied, 1 While the conference was in pro-g-ress it ibecame .apparent that the men frad decided to get other matters settled also, for they complained about the condition of their living quarters, and contended that they should be cleaned out more than twice- -a week. Bit is stated iby Mr Young (Secretary of the Seamen's Union) that the arrangements in regard to 'ho accomfnodation provided for the c\'\\v nece? States the cleaning of th^se quatfc?; more than twice a week. After the points laised li^.r] been discussed, it was imutually ngreed that the. crew should 4 "'turn.- to," a promise heing made that, if the present conditions do not improve by the time that the iHinemoa reaches Auckland there will be a change in the i>«-)vidoTing- department of the vessel ' ]"ho. Rinomcv , left the wharf an hour mi'"' th fee-quarters after the projected time of sailing .