THE R.M.S. AORANGI.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3328, 10 January 1898, Page 4

THE R.M.S. AORANGI.

TO THE EDITOB. Sib, —A statement, I understand, was made in the House of Representatives to the effect that the s.s. Aorangi left this port en route to Vancouver on her present voyage with one fireman and six trimmers short. This statement is so untrue and so damaging to the reputation of the line that X should feel obliged if you would insert this letter in your valuable columns in contradiction of the statement. The facts are as follow:—One fireman and one trimmer deserted immediately before the departure of the ship. A trimmer at hand was engaged in place of one of the deserters, and one of the trimmers was promoted to he fireman. The steamer has lately been carrying three trimmers in excess of the number she carried on her voyage out from England, and which we have been accustomed to look upon as her complement. She was, however, on leaving thisport, owing to the desertions referred to, one trimmer short of her complement from last voyage. In consequence of the steamer leaving at so early an hour (4 am ) another trimmer could not be engaged, and I did not consider it necessary to wait in order to do so. The witness I hear of who was working his passage from Sydney to Vancouver, but " who broke his journey at Suva and returned to Wellington," must bo a man who refused to trim coal in place of the trimmer short between this port and Suva, and was sentenced by the Court to four weeks’ imprisonment for this refusal of duty.—l am, Ac., Campbell Hepwobth, Commander, B.M.S. Aorangi. Wellington, January Bth, 1898.