AN UGLY SCENE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10744, 15 November 1928, Page 3

AN UGLY SCENE.

SAVAGE EIGHT ON WATERFRONT CREW ASSAULT OFFICERS. LINER LEAVES LATER FOR , . GISBORNE. - tTress Association.* AUCKLAND. Nov, 14 ' An ugly isequel to the of fitteen scaliten and firemen, for disobeying tin order occurred on the I- ort .Darwin at Queen’s Wharf to-day. The chief engineer, Mr Robertson, was subjected to it suvflge ritWii'k itnd in a riot which followed, Captain I. W. R. DowbrMge, master of the steainer, and Captain Hollis, superintendent of the Commonwealth and Dominion Line for New Zealand, were uiinpured. Shortly after one o clock Mr. Robertson was grabbed by several firemen and was held against the bulkhead. Captain Dowbridge and Captain Hollis went to his rescue, -uid a free fight ensued. Captain. Hollis lost several front teeth as well as suffering gashes on his face . The master of the vessel had his thumb bitten by his enraged assailants, and also suffered head injuries. The ship’s apprentices went to the aid of their senior officers, and many of" them showed cuts and bruises as the result. The firemen were content to use their fists, at first, hut later ono man seized a crowbar and went to hit the master, -Fortunately he was prevented from doing so. Two policemen arrived on the scone before the fight had died out, ih f|.'d nothing till reinforcements arrived. Then thirteen policemen took charge ofatho vessel and stood by to seo that no further violence took place. 'L'he whole afternoon was spent in negotiations between the crew and the captain. The men walked off the ship at 3.30, collecting on t-lie wharf and determined that before they took the vessel to sea the master should give Li written agreement that the. fight on the ship would not lead to intimidation. and that it would not affect their final discharges. This agreement was finally made by the captain and the crew returned on hoard the vessel and sailed for Gisborne at 5.45.