SIR GEORGE CLIFFORD

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1920, Page 4

SIR GEORGE CLIFFORD

■HELD UP BY FIREMEN. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 12. Sir George Clifford, (President of the Now Zealand Racing Conference) had booked a passage for Wellington by the Mokoia to-night, but the firemen declined to go to sea with him and Mr Rutherford on board. When Sir G. Clifford was told of ytlie firemen’s attitude, his first inclination was to stay on the ship and let matters take their own course, but on second thoughts he decided to go ashore and save trouble on account of the many passengers on board who had important reasons foe travelling. Sir G. Clifford ieft the ship, the passengers cheering him. The firemen mflade a counter- demonstration. The firemen declined to sail with Sir G. Clifford arid Mr Rutherford for the reason that they are racehorse owners, but there appears to be some mistake about Mr Rutherford, for it is understood that no member of the well-known racing family of that name was on board the Mokoia. It moks as if Sir G. Clifford will not be able to preside at the New Zealand Racing Conference at Wellington on Thursday, when one of the principal items of business is consideration of the Jockeys’ dispute and the best means of affecting a settlement. As Sir G. Clifford left the Mokoia, the firemen shouted: “You will never travel by this boat, or any other Union Company’s boat!” Followed by a counting out. The men walked along the deck as Sir George proceeded up the wharf. “If you only knew it, you are losing one of the best.friends you have,” Sir George remarked to ®ne group. Sir Gcroge lifted his hat to the crowd as ho finally left the whavf, and with his two daughters lie returned to Christ church.