TROUBLED STAY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22319, 2 May 1947, Page 6

TROUBLED STAY

POOLTAJN PORT SICKNESS IN CREW SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS When the Poolto left Gisborne yesterday morning after discharging a cargo of coal from the West Coast, the ship was a day and a half behind schedule owing to t. series of events which slow ed down ‘he rate of discharge and eventually forced a substantial change in the crew Shortage of firemen in the stokehold during the greater part of the Poolta’s time in Gisborne resulted in steam not being available for the deck winches, and the process of discharging cargo was unduly protracted. Sickness accounted for part of the shortage in the stokehold, and tvas chifley responsible for the changes in crew in Gisborne. Men had to be brought from the main ports of the North Island to reinforce the firemen still available after the toll of sickness had resulted in five stokers being paid off here. , , , The Poolta's stay concluded yesterday morning, when the ship sailed at 7 o'clock for Greymouth. The last ,of her coal was discharged on Wednesday night, but the vessel’s departure was delayed in order to sign on men who arrived bv rail on Wednesday flight. Originally the ship was scheduled to leave Gisborne on Tuesday night. Incidental troubles which arose during her stay here included a fight which took place on private premises between two members of the stokehold staff which led to one man receiving medical attention and several others a direction by the police to return to their ship. The loser in the fight laid no complaint. reserving his right to deal with the matter personally at a later date.