LIVELY SCENE ON AUCKLAND WHARF.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1915, Page 8

LIVELY SCENE ON AUCKLAND WHARF.

A MAKURA PASSENGER. NOT ALLOWED ABOARD. There was some excitement, at Queen's wharf on' Wednesday, reports the Auckland Star, prior to tile departure of the K.M.s. Makura for Vancouver. It was believed that a young man of military ago was about to leave the country, and his erstwhile fellow-eraployees decided that they would not allow him to do so. The scene on the wharf will long be remembered by those who witnessed it as a most unusual incident, even in these unusual times. Obviously names cannot be mentioned, but in the city these is a firm of iron workers which is proud of its roll or honour. Eight ex-employees have gone to the war, three of whom have given their lives for the Empire. Others arein training, and otliers still are waiting to be called up. Feelings of enthusiasm and loyalty run high amongst these particular iron workers. But there happened to be two men who were not happy members of this otherwise happy family. One left some time ago and is reported to be now in 'Frisco. The other brother, a big healthy felow of 37, remained at his employment, and it is said he had declared that if ever there was a likehood of conscription coming into force, he likewise would leave for America. The workmen became suspicious of their fel-low-employee on Monday. The Makura, en route to Vancouver, had arrived in port, and during tile day the young man received an unusual number of callers at the workshops. The men communciated their suspicions to their employers, who in turn got into touch with Mr, Hull, the special officer detailed to make investigation before issuing passports to travel overseas. Mr. Hull assured them that no one answering the description of the man in question had so far applied for a permit to leave by the Makura, and he promised that particular wateli would be kept for such a person. Yesterday morning, however, the suspicions of the men wove confirmed when the suspect failed to turn up at the works. An hour before the Makura's sailing time they asked for ail hour's leave. Permission was forthcoming and the thirty men employed in the works marched in a body to Queen's wharf. Despite . the fact that they had no passes, two of them succeeded in getting aboard the sliip. Probably, with the stains of the workshop upon them they were mistaken for members of the ship's company. They made a thorough search, and at the end of half an hour returned to the wharf to announce that they were sure their man was not on the vessel. Tlie party, however, was convinced that it was not wrong in its assumption, and the men waited beside the gangway until the last few minutes before sailing time. They they saw a hooded luggage cart driven . oil to the wharf. Instantly it wns .surrounded. Seated inside was the man they had been waiting for. His luggage was with him. "A shirker, a shirker!" went forth the cry. Instantly the cart was turned round aDd headed up the wharf, and was not allowed to return until the gangway was up and the ship clear. Meanwhile the young .man was treated to the liveliest ten minutes of his lifetime, while the cart .was driven up the street.