MUTINY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 9091, 30 April 1890, Page 5

MUTINY.

H.M.S. EGERIA. DETAILS OP THE TROUBLE. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, April 29. In regard to the alleged mutiny on board the Egeria, it appears that whilst the vessel was in Auckland, there were vague rumours that the men were dissatisfied. As for the row in the Thames Hotel, Auckland, which is said to be part of the mutiny, the facts show that it was not of such magnitude as would seem. On the night before their arrest the men were at the hotel singing and drinking, but when the police came nest morning about ten o’clock the men were in a sittingroom. There were eleven of them. When the constable came the entrance door was wide open, not barricaded as represented, and when the police entered, one of the latter upset the table on which there were some glasses. The men submitted quietly, one remarking that he had been expecting the police, but they made no resistance, and marched- off quietly. No furniture was broken, but a little half-door, o per which the liquor is served into the sitting-room, and which was secured by a nail instead of a lock, was pushed open in the crush. The men hadi a grievance against First Lieutaaant Helby.who, they said, gave them unnecessary work, keeping them at it from four o’clock in the morning until late at night. It was on Good Friday that matters came to a climax. The men were brought ashore to church, and amongst those so sent were some of those who had previously been sent on board by the police and picket. When they were returned on board, they were ordered to go to work, but refused, on the ground that Good Friday wasj a public holiday and should be observed as a Sunday; in fact, they refused duty, and the first lieutenant called them to the quarter deck. They refused to go, and the petty officers were ordered to bring them forward, bub they said they were too few for this service. However, on the captain sending an order forward the men at once obeyed. What transpired afterwards is not known, as the Egeria left port early on Saturday.