REFUSAL TO SAIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23078, 1 July 1938, Page 10

REFUSAL TO SAIL

STAND BY SHIP'S CREW DELAY TO THE PUKEKO THE CANOPUS FUMIGATED The second instance in successive (lays of a crew of a, coastal sliip refusing to take her to sea occurred last night on the Kichardson Line's coastal motor-ship Pukoko, which is loading for East Coast ports at Prince's Wharf. The crew entered into a dispute, not regarded as of serious consequence) and later went ashore. The Pukeko, which arrived at Auckland early yesterday morning from the East Coast, was scheduled to sail at midnight last night on her return. As a result of the dispute tlio sailing was postponed until this morning. It is hoped that the crew will resume duty at eight o'clock this morning. After preparing tho decks and hatches for sea, the Pukeko is expected to sail about 8.30 o'clock. As a result of claims by the crew that the ship was rat-infested, the Westport Coal Company's steamer Canopus was .fumigated yesterday. The crew had refused to take tho ship to sea until this was carried out and, when tho fumigation was completed early yesterday afternoon, tho steamer's departure for Westport was delayed until 10 o'clock last night.' In order to clear tho quarters entirely of tho poison the sailing was later further postponed until early this morning.

MENTION IN PARLIAMENT GOVERNMENT'S VIEW SOUGHT [by TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL reporter] WELLINGTON, Thursday Tho Auckland rat which has held up a ship was mentioned in the House Representatives to-day when Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Opposition — gave notice that he would ask the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, whether his attention had been drawn to the article appearing in that morning's paper with reference to the refusal of the crow to take the coastal steamer Canopus to sea on account of the alleged presence of a rat in the forecastle. Mr. Kyle asked whether the action of the seamen met with the approval of the Government.