LINER’S SAILING DELAYED

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 23 August 1935, Page 7

LINER’S SAILING DELAYED

NIAGARA MANY HOURS LATE, SIGNING ON A SEAMAN. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND,- Aug. 22. Delayed through a vacancy in her crew which could: not be filled, the liner Niagara did not leave for Vancouver until after 3 o'clock this afternoon. The Niagara was originally scheduled to sail on Wednesday night, but her departure was postponed until 10 a.m. . fo-day -and successively until 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m, : An able seaman' on'- the?’vessel went ashore sick on Wednesday -and another man ■ w*as signed on in his place. Later in the day, however, lie left the ship. It is learned that the cause of this action was due to the possibility of repercussions in view of the disturbed labour situation at Vancouver.

Cargo operations went on until midnight on Wednesday when work was suspended. . The remainder of the cargo was loaded to-day. Officers of the vessel stated, however, that had the Niagara had a full crew she would have sailed on Wednesday night, leaving a small quantity of cargo if necessary. It was stated further that the Seamen's Union had indicated that the taking of a man to fill the vacancy would not be opposed, A seaman could not be obtained, however, for some hours, but the man • who had previously signed on eventually rejoined the vessel and she sailed shortly afterward without further incident* • __ Passengers spent the morning'on the ship as it was not known when she might be able to leave. The delay will mean that members of the New-Zealand university hockey team cannot arrive at Suva in time to play the first Test match there on Saturday. It is doubtful if the Niagara will catch the English mail connection by the nsual route.