VESSEL LAID UP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23019, 22 April 1938, Page 8

VESSEL LAID UP

THE STEAMER TEES - DISPUTE WITH THE CREW THE CHATHAMS ISOLATED PASSENGERS AND CARGO WAIT [bt telegraph—pbess association] CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday Because a deadlock has been reached in the dispute with the crew of the steamer Tees, the owners have decided to pay off the men and to lay up the ship. The Tees was to have sailed late last night for the Chatham Islands with cargo and ten. passengers. Carpenters were employed yesterday in removing hurdles and wooden divisions which had been used in the carrying of sheep, and a certain amount of rubbish was left in the bottom of the holds, which had previously been cleaned by two gangs of waterside workers.

The seamen claimed that the rubbish should be cleared up before sailing. The agents for the ship arranged with the carpenters to do this, but the seamen again objected, claiming that it was the waterside workers' work, and should be done only by them. Stating that they were disgusted with the whole business, the owners of the Tees to-day gave instructions to lay the ship up, and the men will be paid off to-morrow. This action will isolate the Chatham Islands from the mainland. There are passengers at each end desirous of making the trip, and there is also a large cargo of fish and 150 head of cattle awaiting shipment at the islands.