Ship’s Cooking Objected to By Crew

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 196, 21 August 1935, Page 4

Ship’s Cooking Objected to By Crew

TWENTY-SIX SEAMEN BEFORE BLUFF COURT NOT SUFFICIENT GAOL ACCOMMODATION Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Last Night. Because they objected to the cook iug, the crew ot' the Union Company ’s inter-colonial freighter Waikouaiti, which has completed loading at Bluff for Sydney, twice refused to take the ship to sea. .Vs a result 26 of them were arrested 10-duy and brought before the Police Court at Bluff on charges of disobeying a lawful command of the master of the ship. The Court was twice adjourned to enable a settlement to be reached. This was not done on the first occasion and tire men will appear for a third time at 10 o’clock to-morrow morning.

Tho Waikouaiti arrived at Bluff on Saturday evening and had finished loading on Monday, the cargo including perishable produce. She was timed to sail, at 11.30 that night for Sydney, but the crew- refused to take out tho vessel, because they were dissatisfied with the cooking. It was then arranged that the Waikouaiti should clear port before mid-day to-day, but the seamen again stated their objections and refused duty. Informations wero sworn and 20 seamen were arrested at 1 p.m. The men were charged in the Police Court before Justices of the Pccace with disobeying the lawful commands of the master.

Captain Grey stated that ho had been in command of the Waikouaiti for six months, and only once previously had a complaint regarding the cooking been made to him.

It was decided to adjourn the sitting till 3 p.m. in the hope of a settlement being reached. It was stated that the men had been in communication with Dunedin and an official of the Seamen’s Union was expected to reach Bluff tomorrow.

As soon as the sitting resumed Mr McFarlane, the men’s representative, asked for an adjournment till 10 o’clock to-morrow morning. “We cannot guarantee a settlement,” he said, “but we will do our best.”

Captaiu Grey said that he was will ing and this course was agreed to.

“You meu are under arrest and there is not enough accommodation for you at Bluff,” remarked Mr E. A. Nichoi. J.P., amidst laughter. "We don’t, want to put you to any inconvenience, so will you give your boud to be here at 10 o’clock to-morrow?”

“Yes,” was tko. chorused replj.