KAPUHI HELD-UP

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10897, 11 May 1921, Page 5

KAPUHI HELD-UP

grew object to benzine, allegations of danger. As a direct result of the explosion on the small coastal wooden- steamer Kapuni at Pstea on January 25t-h, the vessel is held up at Wellington for want of a crew. Contending that the vessel is not safe fpr the carriage of benzine cargoes owing-; to the bulkhead allegedly not being airtight, the crew, comprising three- A.B.’s and two firemen, left the ship yesterday after having given the requisite 24 hours’ notice. No other men were forthcoming t.o fill the \ acancies. On Mondav when the Kapuni’s crew gave notice the loading of benzine was stopped, and the cases of benzine to be ■shipped by the vessel were diverted to the Hawera, which sailed at 4.30 p.m. yesterday for Patea. Yesterday Mr W. T. Young (general secretary of the Seamen’s Federation) made a statement in which he traoeo the history of the trouble. He said there was a large difference of opinion as to the, airtightness of the bulkhead os required by the controlling regulations, and on this account it was essential that the bulkhead should be tested before the ship proceeded to sea. Mr Young added: “Since the explosion, and up to yesterday, no attempt has been made to load benzine into the ship beyond % voyage immediately after the explosion, when the crew refused to p<ut to sea. The crew of the vessel were not inclined to endanger their lives in this set of circumstances, and so far as I know, they preferred to leave the ship, which C understand they have done. I am also given to understand that _ other men refused to join the Kapil ill until the bulkheads are tested.”