THE "MAORI" HOLD UP.

Northern Advocate, 11 February 1920, Page 4

THE "MAORI" HOLD UP.

MEN'S POINT OF VIEW. LEAKY BOILERS. WELLINGTON, Feb. 10. Mr J. D''n:on, representing th ■ ni-s-men on th- Maori, alleged tint the statements published did not correctly represent the position of the men, -md lie made ithe following statement: — "The boilers have been in a very bad condition for the last two month-;, it has been very hard work ito get up and maintain steam. On January livd we arrived at Lyttelton at 2 o'clock, and we only made this time by double-banking—that is, one of the watches off duty had l o work. Il i t had been rough weather we could not have got up sufficient steam. In an interview with a Christchurch newspaper, Mr G. H. Sleigh (manager for the Union Company at Christchurch) said that the reason for the Maori being lhte was the very poor quality of the coal and nqt t h° defective boilers, as had been rumoured —all the boilers were leaking on that day, and have been leaking ever since.

"On Thursday last—we were at Lyttelton at ithe time—we had planks on coal about six inches above th-" stokehold plates owing to the boiling water. This was necessary, otherwise the men would have been standing in the water. The water was escaping from the boilers. We considered the ship unfit to go to sea, and this was intimated to the chief engineer. We understood we could get her back and forward in smooth water only but we thought that on account of the passengers we should not put to sea. The chief asked us to take her back to give the company a chance to get another ship in her place. We agreed ito this, and arrived in Wellington on Friday. The chief engineer sent for me —I was acting as the crew's spokesmen—and I saw him and Mr Patterson (superintending engineer ashore). I explained our case to him, and he asked if we could not keep her running until such time as the Wahine could relieve. This would mean about a week or more. In view of the position a? outlined we refused. After about 10 minutes I was called back by the chief, and he stated that Mr Patterson had given him a proposal to put to us He said: 'Go and find out if they will be willing to keep the ship here till Monday, making her usual run on Monday night. We will put Ithe boilermakers into her to do what they can to her in the way of repairs between now and Monda r. Then if she opens out on Tuesday (meaning should the boilers leak) would you be willing to take her to Port Chalmers for repairs?"

"After a consultation with the men, I said we were agreeable. Nolthiug further was said in the matter between the officers and the men. The men went about their usual work and at night Ithe passengers came aboard. About sailing time when the gangway was about t 0 be lowered, the firemen walked off. I was sent for and was interviewed by several of the company's officers, including the general manager (Mr Kennedy), ithe chief engineer, and Mr Patterson, who implored us to take the ship out to get the company out °f a bole.

"I pointed out (that the company had made a bargain with us, and we meant to stick to it. Mr Patterson denied having ever made the agreement. Afterwards on the wharf, he explained that he had not had the authority to make the agreement h? made. The ship did not sail, and the firemen were ordered Ito draw the fires. The boilermakers were put aboard and are at work now. I should like to say that I have worked from Friday night till 9.30 on Saturday morning, and from 8 till 6 on Sunday, and I will be working from 9 on Sunday night till some (time Monday morning. There are 15 boilermakers and five of their labourers, and five firemen, working at the repairing of the boilers. The company had plenty to time to make arrangements, as the chief engineer (telegraphed up from Lyttelton."