ARAHURA HELD UP

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 53, 3 March 1919, Page 5

ARAHURA HELD UP

SINCE SATURDAY. THE RESULT OF A FIGHT. At present the Arahura, the ILS.S. Cos. iboat on the Auckland-East Coast run, is held up in Auckland. Her delay is duo to a difference of several weeks' standing, which came to a head when the Arahura returned from Gisborne last Saturday week. Then a trimmer and one of the stewards had words which led to blows, and when they were separated the other firerrien backed up their mate, who is a wounded returned soldier with a weakened arm, and demanded that the steward should go. This placed the company in an unfortunate position, as the boat was due to sail within a few hours, and tbey couid not summarily dismiss a i..an like that. However, he left the ship voluntarily, and the boat sailed a few hours late for the coast. But the trouble was not settled, for during the trip the firemen found complaints against other stewards who had supported the man who had left. So when the Arahura came into Auckland on Friday evening they demanded the dismissal of two more stewards. Again the company was at a loss, for the stewards could not "be given, sufficient notice, and they would have been hard to replace, while if they stayed the firemen threatened not to work. That is where the trouble stands today. The Arahura was due to sail at noon on Saturday. She has not gone yet. It is understood that the veesei may be paid off. At any rate the boat; i will probably lose a trip.