MOKOIA HELD-UP AT SUVA.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3441, 22 March 1920, Page 4

MOKOIA HELD-UP AT SUVA.

FIREMEN ON STRIKE,

Received 9.10 a.m

SUVA, March 21.

i The Mokoia is held up at Suva ow; ing to a number of seamen and firemen going ashore in the morning‘ when the vessel was about to sail for [Auckl:md. The trouble originated on iwednesday. Prior to the departure of the Mokoia. for Lautoka it is al--leged certain firemen entered a Japanese store, and subsequently a, dozen strings of beads Were missing. The manager followed, and challenged a. fireman wearing the beads, who knocked him down, infiicting facial injuries. A number of firemen were arrested and released on bail, and proceeded to Lautoka. On the ship's return to Suva to-day the police removed a man charged with theft and assault on the manager. The crew deputationised the manager, who said he had done all in his power, but the case was not one that came under Fiji law, could be met by a fine. VVhen the order to let go the ship’s line about 8.30 was given the men left the‘ ship, sliding down the ropes, and the officers took the steamer into the stream. where she is now anchored. It is stated that the crew consider they are not justified in leaving a companion to stand his trial alone.

LATER.

SUVA, March 22. The Mokoia is sailing at midnight and the strike is over.