AN OBDURATE SKIPPER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 57, 25 July 1912, Page 8

AN OBDURATE SKIPPER.

A COALING CASE. By Telegraph—Press Association. ' Invercargill, Last Night. The Bluff Press states that a sensation occurred at Stewart Island in connection with the coaling of the Norwegian whalers at Paterson's Inlet.- The s.s. Ngatoro, from Westport, brought 400 tons of coal for the Norwegian* on Thursday, and commenced discharging into the barque Mimosa, at Patenon's Inlet. The time allotted for discharging was 48 hours, but Captain Christian did fast work, and the work was completed in 12 hours. It appears that Captain Didricksen, of the Mimosa, declined to pay over on the completion of discharge, maintaining that as 48 hours had been allotted the Ngatoro belonged to him on ! charter for that period, and he would not allow her to leave. -Mr. Grainee, [representing the coal company, protested, and the chief officer (Mr. Muir), lat» 'captain of the Innerdale, went oyer to [the Mimosa to interview Captain Didricksen and demand payment. It is alleged that words arose, and the dispute ended, in a more serious encounter. Captain Didricksen etill refused to pay. On Saturday morning, Captain Christian and Mr. Muir boarded the Mimosa and waited on Captain Didricksen in his : cabin. It is alleged that the captain i threatened to eject them, and that Muir, 'a powerful man, had again to use force [to obviate injury. Captain Didricksen | still refused to pay over, and Captain Christian said that he would demand payment through the Admiralty Court. I The Ngatoro'weighed anchor and took a turn round the Mimosa before leaving ifor the Bluff. As they were leaving Captain Didricksen put off in a boat and boarded the Ngatoro to go to the Bluff. Mr. Graines took out a writ of attachment through the Admiralty Court, and Sheriff Colyer held it. Captain Didricksen was given until 6.30 on Saturday night to pay over, together with £ls 15s costs,, He did not do so. On Sunday he was threatened with the seizure of his vessel, and he then paid over, the costs having in the meantime amounted to between £4O and £SO. The Ngatoro left for Greymouth on Sunday morning to load coal for the s.s. Nairnshire, at Lyttelton.