DEADLOCK REACHED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 April 1938, Page 9

DEADLOCK REACHED

9 DISPUTE OVER CLEARING HOLD. CREW OF STEAMER PAID OFF. By Telegraph.—-Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 21. Because a deadlock has been reached in the dispute with the crew of the steamer Tees, the owners have decided to pay off the men and to lay up the ship. Te Tees was to have sailed late on Wednesday night for the Chatham Islands with cargo and 10 passengers. During Wednesday carpenters were employed in removing hurdles and wooden divisions which had been used in the carrying of sheep, and a certain amount of rubbish and sheep manure was left in the bottom of the holds, which had previously been cleaned up by two gangs of watersiders. Seamen claimed that this should be cleared up before sailing. The agents for the ship arranged with carpenters to do this, but the seamen again objected, claiming that it was watersiders’ work and should be done only by them. Stating that they were disgusted with the whole business, the owners of the Tees to-day gave instructions to lay the ship up. and the men will be paid off to-morrow. This action will isolate the Chatham Islands from the mainland. There are passengers at each end desirous of making the trip, and there is also a large cargo of fish and 150 head of cattle awaiting shipment at the islands.