THE CHATEAU D'IF'S CREW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15715, 16 September 1914, Page 9

THE CHATEAU D'IF'S CREW.

A LITTLE RELAXATION".

The crew of the French barque Chateau D'if, which is berthed at the King's Wharf discharging a cargo of superphosphates from Hamburg, are evidently determined to make their visit to Auckland a memorable one. Although the vessel has been ' in port only 10 days, her crew have made themselves very conspicuous. On Thursday evening last there was a quarrel on. board and one man was stabbed in the back with a clasp-knife. The man who is alleged to have struck the blow is at present in gaol awaiting his trial, while the unfortunate seaman who was stabbed accidently fell overboard from the King's Wharf on Saturday evening last and was drowned. The majority of the crew obtained leave yesterday to attend their late comrade's funeral, and on their return to the city they evidently intended to have a little relaxation before returning to the ship. They had obtained several drinks all round at one of the hotels and had reached the corner of Queen Street and Customs Street West when a constable came upon the scene. The constable immediately instructed the proprietors of the hotels in the vicinity of the waterfront not to serve the men with any more liquor. Having done this, he escorted the men on board their ship without much trouble. Constable Hainsi worth was stationed at the gangway to 1 stop the crew from coming ashore again. For some time the men remained quieton the deck, but later they tried ;to get ashore. However, the constable kept them back, with the exception of one man named Jacques Le Grand, who ■ was subsequently arrested and lodged in ' the police cells. He will be charged at the Police Court- this mornr.ng with wilfully disobeying the lawful commands of the captain. The arrest of Le Grand had a good. effect upon the rest of the crew, and they made no further attempt to come ashore. All was quiet on the barque last night, but a. constable was always bandy in case hie services should be required.