FIREMEN ON THE REGULUS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 12, 13 January 1913, Page 5

FIREMEN ON THE REGULUS.

WANT MORE (ASSISTANCE

As the firemen of the Westport Coal Company’s steamer Regulus, now at Wellington, demanded the assistance of two more men in the stokehold, and as the vessel already carries one man in excess of the requirements of the Act, the owners have decided to lay the vessel up in the meanwhile. The Regulus paid off her crew at Wellington before the holidays, while the vessel was placed on the slip for her annual overhaul. The crew were to sign on on Friday preparatory to bringing the vessel off on Saturday to sail for Westport. When the men filed into the Government Shipping Office to sign on, the firemen brought along two extra men. The company’s representative was informed by the firemen that they would not sign on unless two extra men were engaged as trimmers. This suggestion was rejected by the company’s representative, who then decided that it was advisable not to sign on anyone unless the firemen agreed to resume work with the ordinary number in the stokehold. Under clause 82 of the Shipping and Seampn’s Act any man who had signed on could, if the vessel laid up here, claim a month’s pay, besides the wages earned in port. During the past the Regains has carried three firemen and a clonkeyman; whereas the Act stipulated only three firemen need be engaged.

Wellington, Saturday

The difficulty with the crew of the Regulus is still unsettled, and the vessel remains in port.