RIOT IN SHIP

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1928, Page 3

RIOT IN SHIP

MASTER AND Exu INKER INJURED. police QUELL- DISTURBANCE AUCKLAND, Nov. 11. An ugly sequel to the lining of fifteen seamen and firemen lor disobeying an order occurred in the Port Darwin at the Queen’s Wharf to-dav. The chief engineer, Mr Robertson, was subjected to a savage attack and m the riot which billowed, Captain I. A\ . K. Sawbridge, master of the steamer, and Captain Hollis', superintendent of the Commonwealth and Dominion Line for New Zealand, were injured. Shortly after I o’clock Robertson was grabbed by several firemen and was held against a bulkhead. Captain Sawbridge and Captain Hollis went to bis rescue and a free light ensued. Captain Hollis lost several front teeth as well as suffering several gashes on hi face. The master of the vessel bad his thumb bitten by the enraged assailants and also suffered bead injuries. The ship’s apprentices went to the aid of their senior officers and many ot them showed cuts and bruises as a result.

The firemen were content to use their fists at first, but later one man seized a crowbar and went to hit the master. Fortunately he was prevented from doing so. Two mil icemen arrived on the scene before the fight had died out, but did nothing till reinforcements arrived. Thirteen police in all took charge of the vessel and stood by to see that no further violence took place. The whole afternoon was spent in negotiation between the crew and the contain. The men walked off the ship at 3;3D. collecting on the wharf, and demanded that before they took the vessel to sea the master should give a written agreement that the fight on the ship would not lead to intimidation, and that it would not affect their final discharges. This agreement was finally made by the captain and the crow returned on board. The vessel sailed for Gisborne at 5.45.