MANUKA DELAYED

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18569, 19 December 1925, Page 16

MANUKA DELAYED

STOKEHOLD CREW'S ACTION. CHRISTMAS IN MELBOURNE 7 fapBCUIi K> "TOT WELLINGTON, December 18. Passengers and officers of the Manuka had an exasperating experience owing to the holding up of the ship because of tho shortage of firemen. The steamer was scheduled to sail last night at 11 o'clock, but she was unable to get away because there was one trimmer short of the required number. Twelve men were signed; off yesterday, and tho Union Company failed to get tho twelfth man to complete tho stokehold complement. Tho firemen refused to sail until the full number had been obtained, objecting that tho vessel was hard enough to work with a full crew, and if they sailed, with a short complement they would have to work longer shifts. Several men were available to complete tho number, but the eleven men declined to sail with any one of them as they were non-unionists. In consequence of tho failure to secure a full crew last night, the company postponed Cue departure of the vessel until 11 o'clock this morning, but at that hour the required number of trimmers was still short. One of the engine-room staff went ashore and endeavoured to boat up men to fiU the vacancies, and shortly after midday the passengers who were aboard, patiently awaiting tho arriYal of tho missing firemen, received the news, that the stokehold number had been completed. Crew Goes Ashore. The gangway was lowered) at about 12.45 p.m., and there was every appearance that the steamer was about to movo out from the wharf when the firemen in a body swarmed over tho side of the ship on to the wharf, accompanied by the seamen, who apparently acted 4n sympathy with them. A brief meeting of the firemen was held on the wharf at a quarter past 1, when a man who appeared to he recognised as the leader, called a roll, and declared! that the complement was three men short. Another man strolled up a few minutes later. The firemen resolutely declined to sa* until a full crew had been obtained, and they gathered on the wharf while tho passengers lined the decks. One man was heard to remark, "We'll stick here until they gel the full number." About two hundred passengers are booked by the Manuka on the present trip, some of whom hope to connect in Australia with other vessels for England. There is no doubt that the intention of the men was toehold up the vessel so as to enable them, to spend Christmas .in Melbourne. Possibly she will be held up there till after the New Year holidays. The ship" sailed this afternoon.