NIAGARA SAILS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22195, 23 August 1935, Page 10

NIAGARA SAILS

DELAY IN DEPARTURE VACANCY IN THE CREW MAN EVENTUALLY SECURED MAIL FOR LONDON LATE Delayed because a vacancy in her crew could not be filled, the Royal Mail liner Niagara did not leave for Suva, Honolulu and Vancouver until after three o'clock yesterday afternoon. The Niagara was originally scheduled to sail on Wednesday night, but her departure was postponed until 10 a.m. yesterday, and successively until 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. An abie seaman on the vessel went ashore on Wednesday owing to illness and another man was signed on in his place. Later in the day, however, he left the ship. It is learned that this action was due to the possibility of repercussions in view of the disturbed labour situation at Vancouver. Seamen's Union Attitude Cargo operations went on until midnight on Wednesday, when work was suspended. The remainder of the cargo was loaded yesterday morning. Officers of the vessel stated yesterday, however, that had the Niagara had a full crew she would sailed on Wednesday night or early yesterday morning, leaving a small quantity of cargo if necessary. It was stated further that t]io Seamen's Union had indicated during yesterday morning that the taking of a man to fill the vacancy would not be opposed. A seaman could not be obtained, however, for some hours, but the man who had previously signed on eventually rejoined the vessel and she sailed shortly afterward without further incident. Few See Vessel Leave Passengers spent the morning on the ship, as it was not known when she might be able to leave. There were very few people at Prince s Wharf to see her sail, scarcely more than a dozen streamers being stretched between ship and shore. The delay will mean that members of the New Zealand university hockey team cannot arrive at Suva in time to play the first test match there to-morrow. It is doubtful if the Niagara will make the English mail connection by the usual route, but the mail may be diverted. At the most it is not expected to arrive in London more than a day late. The Niagara will probably reach Vancouver on September 8. A meeting of the Auckland branch of the Federated Seamen's Union of New Zealand was held yesterday morning, but it is understood that the vacancy on the Niagara was not the chief matter under discussion.