ROYAL WAGES ON S.S. MOKOIA.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1040, 1 February 1911, Page 6

ROYAL WAGES ON S.S. MOKOIA.

STOKEHOLD AT £3 Gs. Bd. PER DAY.

The Mokoia's departure from Auckland for East Coast pons on Saturday last was seriously delayed owing to trouble with ■somo or tho firemen. It appears that ■threo ot them went ashore on Saturday morning; and oMaincd'a doctor's certificate which stated that they wero unfit for duty. Under tho circuniscanccs tho master of the vessel signed'them off tno ship's articles, and went in search of threo others. He was successful, and. the newcomers "turned to." :

However, after having worked several hours, and without any warning at all, the newcomers packed their bags and went ashore. This secoud trouble happened just prior to the Mokoia's hour of sailing on Saturday afternoon, and another hunt round tho town by the officers for men proved unsuccessful. . What tno situation was afterwards is not -.quite, cleat, but it is known that 'thoso firemen who had remained on board refused to go to sea with the ship shorthanded. Tho Mokoia carries nfno iireineii and nine- triminers, although- under law she.is not obliged to have more than six trimmers. It is understood that inducement was brought to bear on tho three extra trimmers to'sign on as firemen, but this they refused to do. Meanwhile (at 7 p.m.) tho Mokoia was taken out into the stream, tho object being to prevent mjjro of tho crew going ashore. After considerable trouble and vain searching for men it was decided to ap-i proach three passengers, who had been lircmen on tho Union. Company's Whangapc, and had been paid off at Auckland, to work on tho Mokoia. After some deliberation theso men consented, -but not until they hail been promised ,£lO for tho run from Auckland to Wellington—a three days' run at £3 Gs. Bd. per clay. This was given by tho company to get tho ship away. ■ .Tho vessel left tho 'northern, port at 10 p.m. on Saturday, and it is understood that more trouble- was experienced down the coast, but when asked to give a statement of their grievances tho men did not seem to know whether they really had any; or, if they did, they did not state them. On arrival here yesterday afternoon tho three men who had signed on the vessel at Auckland left the ship, and others will bo signed on in their places to-day.