ORVIETO AGROUND.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18074, 16 May 1924, Page 14

ORVIETO AGROUND.

POSITION NOT SERIOUS.

(BV CASUS—PBE33 ASSOCIATION COPIBIQHT.) : '(iUSTBAIOAH AH». N.Z. UAKdi ASBOCUTIOM.) .■■" BRISBANE, May/15:' The Orient liner. Orvieto; ran aground last night year the moutl of the Brisbane river. A passing steamer unsuccessfully attempted to tow her off. '_.'"■ , ' '■' Two tugs have left to give- assistance." The. vessel's position is not serious,- and a 'further attempt will be made this ( morning, to get her otf.-.'."v • , .'-. .■■■■>-..: ',

[R.M.S. Orvieto is an Orient liner of 12,133 tons. - She was built at Belfast in 1909.] ■ ■ -■- '> ' ' '..-•.'. ;, ;

NOT OFF YET. .(Received May : 15th, 9.*6; p.m.) : •, .••'-'!•' BRISBANE,'May IS. {Effoxta |to .refloat- the Oryitto ■ jfailed: There will 'be a farther attempt'to-night. CONSPIRACY CHARGES. ] V— —♦ ... '■"' PORT LYTTELTON TROUBLE. - (DT CABLE—-PEESS . ASSQCUTION, COMBIQBT.) (AOgnUIOAB A»D K.I. CAAfcX* ASHOCIATIOtt./ (Received May 15th, 9.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 15. The hearing 'has commenced of charges of alleged conspiracy againßt union officials. Captain Hollis, marine, superintendent o. the Commonwealth and Dominion line, gave evidence; that lie had- received' a message from the captain, of the Port Lyttelton, at Launceston, stating that the crew refused to take, the vessel to sea unless thjp. received a bonus" of £2O, as-they claimed the ship'was unseaworthy. Witness later attended :' a meeting of dock officials. and .members of the Transport Group of Cockatoo Island arid related ; the ..owners' side of the dispute in connexion with the Port Lyttelton and Port Curtis. -At that meeting Mr Heffron, speaking.for the; Transport Group, said' the'"unions would not touch the ships until the men on the Port Curtis were released and the warrants against the men on the Port Lyttelton withdrawn. ■

Cross-examined, Captain Hollis said that after the Port Lytteiton went • aground at Launceston in January, they put to sea in' the vessel making 100 tons of water hourly; but he claimed that the vessel was seaworthy. ■•..-.

At the meeting at Cockatoo Island, witness asked Mr Falkingham whether the men agreed to take the Port Lyttelton to' sea for a bonus of £-20. Mr Falkingham replied by asking whether witness had not known cases of men taking "coum ships" to sea for a considerable increase in pay.