A NAUTICAL DRAMA

Hokitika Guardian, 5 April 1930, Page 6

A NAUTICAL DRAMA

TROUBLE IN THE C'OOKS’

GALLEY

AUCKLAND, April 3

Because the second cook (Edward Curry, aged fifty-live) -makes better hot calces than the first cook (George Movers), the crew of the Golden Coast were all on Curry’s Side when he appeared at the Police Court this morning charged with assault, causing actual bodily harm.

The fend between the two cooks is of ancient standing, and arose mainly out of professional rivalry. All through the voyage from Los Angeles to Auckland there bad been disagreements between the- two, and matters reached a head a!boiW/7.30 this morning, when, the two came to blows in the galley. It is stated that Meyers punched Curry "on the nose, and the latter retaliated with a pa'neako turner to such good effect that (Meyers is now in the Auckland ; Hospital with a, deep gash in his forehead, and wrist injuries.

Also on the cast of characters in this ship’s drama is the chief steward. Being a countryman of Meyers, the chief steward sided with him in all differences, state tlie crew. Many a time there was an argument between the two cooks on national and patriotic matters, and once before on the vovag© blows hack, been exchanged. On that occasion: tlie second cook was beaten, by two to one.

So good were- the hot cakes-made by the second cook that he soon Avon popularity with the crew.- .Besides; he was more one of themselves, " an old shell hack who still loved Iblue. water. In the .mess rooms his anecdotes kept them amused while his hot cakes were satisfying their hunger. When'the crew missed their hot calces they blamed 'it on the chief cdolc for not supplying the ingredients, for they always believed that the second cook was willing to make them ujhenevcr he could. Several times members of tlie crew heard the second cook asking the chief for tlie key# of. the pantry so- that lie could get the wherewithal to make hot cakes. Sometimes he was refused and then tlie crew got no hot cakes. That is why tlie crew back tlie second cook.

(lurry was charged before AH' F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court this morning;.' but was, . remanded until Saturday. The departure of the ves-sel'-for Wellington has been postponed until that day. .

In the meantime , tlie chief cook nurses a very sore bead in tlie Auckland Hospital. There will be no hot cakes aboard the Golden Coast tonight.