FIREMEN REVELLERS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1920, Page 1

FIREMEN REVELLERS

AMUiSING SCENE AT LYTTELTON

I Lyttelton was fairly quiet at 7.30 on Monday evening, most people being in their homes owing to the rain. At that time three long blasts were issud by a vessel which is lying at one of the wharlves. Immediately the Harbour Board’s watchman made for the scene, together with agents and other concerned with the shipping and railway; also two reporters, who scented some special copy. On arriving at the ship’s side it was discovered that several of the firemen, somewhat the worse for liquor, had taken charge of the vessel in the absence of the offices, and were having “a fine old time.” Judging from their expressions, they were as happy and full of fun as a lot of schoolboys. Three long blasts were first given, and a little later three more, then an engineer or someone else disconnected the siren; but the fun did not end there, for the ship’s telegraph, connected! with the engine-room, then attracted the attention of the revellers. Orders to “Let go that after spring,” “Hold oil forehead],” “Stand clonfr,’ “Full' ahead” and other orders usually issued by the master of the vessel on the departure of a ship from the wharf were signalled. A few minutes after the siren had sounded an officer appeared on the scene and questioned one of the men who was on the bridge working the telegraph, as to his behaviour. The man turned round and informed the officer in a husky voice that it was Christmas time, that he was off another ship and that he would like to obtain a job on the vessel with his mates. Other men meanwhile stood on No 1 hatch, shouting . out orders and otherwise, playing officers as completely ns possible, much to the amusement of people who congregated on the wharf and much to the annoyance of those officials who had retired for the night