Broadside of Potatoes as Maheno Sails

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 137, 31 August 1927, Page 1

Broadside of Potatoes as Maheno Sails

Comedy Touch Lent to Scene of Departure

BRAVE CAMERAMAN By Cable.—Press Association. —copyright

Reed. 10.45 a.m. SYDNEY, To-day. A SETTLEMENT of the Maheno •A- trouble was reached when three stewards requested that they be discharged. This course was agreed to by the captain, and the remainder of

the men intimated that they were willing to sail. The positions of these three men were not filled. The vessel was scheduled to depart at 5 o’clock, hut 10 minutes after that hour, a motor-car containing five firemen drew up at the gangway. Without warning one fireman dealt a blow at a camera in the hands of a photographer. It fell to the wharf, and the plates were scattered about. A policeman asked the fireman’s name, and the Maheno’s crew, who were leaning over the rail, immediately declared that if the fireman were arrested, the boat would not sail. As no notice was taken, they filed off the ship. They were then told that the man would sail with them, so they went aboard again. The gangway was lowered, and the ship moved away. As she did so, a seaman threw a large potato at the photographer, who was still presenting his camera towards the men. Then followed a volley of potatoes from other members of the crew. Fortunately, there were not many people on the wharf, but the missiles fell among them, and Mr. Gray, the assistant-manager for the Union Company, was struck on the head. His hat was knocked off. —A. and N.Z.

END OF DISPUTE

STRIKERS RESUME WORK j A HURRIED DECISION By Cable. —Press Association. —Copyright SYDNEY, Tuesday. The Maheno sailed for Auckland at 6 p.m. to-day, the dispute with the striking cooks and stewards having come to a sudden termination. In pursuance of instructions received by the Sydney representatives of the Union Steam Ship Company yesterday from the uead office in New Zealand summonses were issued against 49 strikers for refusal of duty and absenting themselves from the ship without leave. A squad of police to-day marched to the wharf where the Maheno was berthed in order to execute the arrests against the men. The latter hurriedly convened a meeting, at which they decided to return to work. The police state that the warrants will now be withdrawn. —A. and N.Z.