WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 183, 20 December 1912, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

STRIKE OX THE MAPOHUKA. By Telegraph—Press Association. , Nelson, Last Night. The Union Company's steamer Maponrika, after a prolonged delay at Wellington wharf in connection with the demands of the stokehold crew had lit r running further dislocated this afternoon, trouble from the same source b' ing responsible for her being held up at the lust minute, prior to sailing. At 3 o'clock, her scheduled time for sailing, the aft moorings 'had been cast off and the pilot was in charge when the firemen and trimmers left the stokehold and went to the bridge, informing the captain that they would not stoke the vessel until another fireman had been obtained. It appears that oiie of their number had come on board under the influence of liquor, and refused on anv account to work. The stokehold crew consisted of three firemen and three trimmers, this providing a fireman and a trimmer for each watch. The men contend that j the absence of the malcontent made the work too severe, hence the demand for a new fireman. In the meantime the vessel had been remoored. llie captain and. the local manager of The Union Company conferred with the men. A difficulty presented itself inasmuch as there was no fireman with a ticket to be found in Nelson, and the services of another trimmer were refused. No agreement was arrived at, and the sailing of the vessel with a' large number of passengers for the West Coast was put off till 10 o'clock tomorrow. The Pukaki, which sailed later, took all the perishable cargo.