ACCIDENT ON WAIMANA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19149, 15 October 1925, Page 10

ACCIDENT ON WAIMANA.

BURSTING OF WATER PIPE. DEPTH OF FOOT IN HOLD. POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO MEAT. CARGO BEING UNLOADED. The bursting of a filling-pipe in No. 4 hold on the Shaw, Savill and Albion steamer Waiiriana has resulted in a considerable amount of water leaking into the hold, which was full of frozen meat. In consequence the departure of the ship for New York, Boston and London has been postponed indefinitely. The Waimana was fully loaded when the strike commenced, but, owing to the crew refusing to go to sea, she went to an anchorage in the stream. She remained there until Tuesday, when she berthed at Queen's Wharf to replenish her bunkers and fresh-water tanks. It was when the tanks were being filled on Tuesday night that the pipe burst and soundings taken yesterday morning showed there was about a foot of water in. the 'tween decks, where about 12,000 carcases of meat are stowed. The cargo 'is now being unloaded in order to repair the pipe and to ascertain what damage has been done to the meat. Fortunately, No. 4 hold is separated by watertight bulkheads, so it is not likely that any water has leaked into the adjacent holds. Below the No. 4 'tween decks the hold is also filled with frozen meat. The hatches separating the 'tween decks from the lower hold are hermetically sealed and .should prevent any water leaking below. Hie Wasmana's seamen are in gaol and have been replaced by a volunteer crew. Had the accident not occurred the ship would have sailed yesterday. The 'tween decks have a slope forward where the sounding pipes are situated and it is possible the foot of water measured is only in that vicinity. The bottom layer of meat is stowed on dunnage /our inches deep, so it is possible that very little ! meat has been affected by the water. MOEE SEAMEN IN COUBT. MEN FROM TREVERRYN. GIVEN CHANCE TO RETURN. SIX WEEKS' IMPRISONMENT. Four sailors and three West African firemen, members of the crew of the Treverbyn, were sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment in the Police Court yesterday on a charge of combining to disobey lawful commands. Mf. E. C. Cutten, S.M., was on the Bench, and Mr. Haigh appeared for the New Zealand Shipping Company. Evidence was given that the accused were commanded to prepare to take the ship to sea on Tuesday, but. refused. One of the accused asked the magistrate to adjourn the case, because he had heard that the strike was called off in all ports. Mr. Haigh said if the men offered to resume their duties the charge would be dismissed. After a conference between the accused they decided they would rather go to prison than return. Three seamen from the Devon, who pleaded guilty to a charge of absenting themselves from their ship without leave, were each fined £1 and costs, 7s. THE EAEAFGA'S GREW. A TERM OF SIX WEEKS. [by telegraph.--press association.] DUXEDIN, Wednesday. Fifty-eight striking seamen from the steamer Raranga appeared again in Court to-day before Mr. J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., on a charge of combining to disobey a lawful command. The magistrate asked at the outset if the cabled news about the termination of the strike did not affect the men's position ? Mr. Brasch, for the men, stated that, as this news was not official, the defence | could not take notice of it, or alter their attitude. The magistrate said he had hoped to be relieved of an unpleasant duty. He, could not take into account the merits of the case. The men had committed an offence, and must be punished. As to their fighting for a principle, while they aimed at someone at Home, they were hitting New Zealand. A sentence of six weeks' imprisonment would be imposed. Mr. Hanlon, for the shipping companies, slated that three of the accused were youths of 16, 17 and 18 years respectively. The magistrate decided as to these that they be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon, on condition that they stayed on the ship. In view of the lack of accommodation in Dunedin gaol the six-week's sentence ! will he served at. Paparua. The magistrate instructed that if there | were any developments in the strike posii t.ion before the men were sent to P;iparua he should be informed. MEN FROM THE LEITEIM. SIMILAR PENALTY IMPOSED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION".] CHRISTCHUROH, Wednesday. A batch of eleven seamen, members of the crew of the Leitrim. appeared this afternoon at the Lytteltrm Magistrate's Court, before Mr. H. Y. Widdowson. S.M. The men were charged with "disobedience to lawful commands," arid with "combining to impede the progress of the vessel.'' Mr. C. H. Cuban, appeared for Captain Robertson, master of the Leitrim. The men were not represented. All pleaded guilty to the charge of disobedience, and the other charges were withdrawn. Each man was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment. At to-day's meeting of the Canterbury A. and P. Association it was decided that, the Government be congratulated on the I stand it took in regard to the seamen's strike. One speaker said it was one of | the wisest things that could have been done, and in the face of the election it j had required some nerve and courage to i do it