KAIAPOI PAID OFF

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 May 1929, Page 7

KAIAPOI PAID OFF

JOB-CONTROL ATTEMPT

COMPANY’S FIRM ACTION

(Per Press ABSooia’iionJ

AUCKLAND, May 10.

Trouble with the crew of the Union Company’s steamer, Kaiapoi, at Auckland, resulted, in the men being given 24 hours notice, and the vessel being laid up. The Kaiapoi was to have been despatched for Westport at five o’clock, but seven stokers were absent at sailing time, although later they returned to the steamer in twos and' threes, but. they would not remain on board.

After, midnight the departure was postponed until seven o’clock this morning, but at that time there was still one man. missing. The Seamen’s Union was requested to supply a substitute, but the man sent by it was objected to by the Chief Engineer. This brought about a deadlock, owing to the crew refusing to take the vessel to sea unless the man sent by the Union was signed on. Previously the-trouble was confined to the stokers,/but they were later backed up by the seamen. The Union Company upheld the Chief Engineer’s objection. The Company informed all the members of the crew that their services were not further required. They will be #aid off to-morrow, and the Kaiapoi will be withdrawn from commission.

MARAMA’S MISHAP.

AUCKLAND, May 10.

When the “Marama” was about to leave Auckland for Sydney this afternoon, an accident occurred to the engines,' and the departure of the vessel had to be postponed until to-mor-row.

The Marama was scheduled to sail at three o’clock and at that time its cargo and mail had been loaded, and 180 passengers were on board. There was a large number of people on the wharf to see the vessel off. The accident occurred when the engineers were testing the engines. The engines had turned , the propeller only a few revolutions when. the mid-pres-sure balance cylinder cover broke, and put the, engines out of action. No time was lost in dismantling the broken cover and making arrangements to have a new one cast in its place. The vessel is expected to take her departure /it noon to-morrow. ■

STEAMER SPRINGS LEAK,

DARGAVILLE, May 11.

The small wooden steamer Bell Bird, owned by the Kaipara Shipping Coy., trading between Helensville and Dargaville, sprang a leak while crossing Kaipara Harbour last night, when loaded with cargo of about 120 tons, principally manure. She limped into Pouto where the Ruawai, another of the Company’s steamers, picked her up, and took her in tow. She had not gone far when it was found that the water was gaining, there being a foot in the after hold. Th© Ruawai relieved the Bell Bird of 20 tons of cargo, and towed her to Naumai, where a quantity of cargo was discharged. This stopped the inflow of water. The leaks will be patched up and the vessel taken' back to Helensville for repairs. SHIP ON? FIRE. (Australian Press Association.) (By Cable —nre«B Assn. —Copyright.* SYDNEY, May 10. At Newcastle, a destructive fire occurred on board the steamer Golden Eagle, bound for Honolulu, this afternoon. The firemen were hampered by dense smoke and fumes. The vessel took a decided list before the fire was controlled.