DUMPED OVERBOARD

NZ Truth, Issue 771, 14 August 1920, Page 6

DUMPED OVERBOARD

* Rolls of Linoleum Jettisoned .The Story of a Rejected Consignment. ; The adventures of some ISO rolls of linoleum consigned by an American firm to a firm m Auckland, but which, instead of reaching its 'destination "was dumped overboard, makes interesting reading. Tho consignment was oriarinaaiy shipped on the s.s. Westmeath, but was damaged somewhat by fire and transferred to the Northumberland, On the arrival of the latter vessel at ' Amckland there was trouble between , the consignee, the Cuatoms officials, and the Arm insuring the cargo. The . cargo being damaged, the consignees refused to pay full duty on the goods, , and the upshot was that the linoleum was ordered to be dumped overboard on the voyage of the Northumberland from Auckland to Wellington. The' linoleum was stacked on the > decks, and an insurance representative went on board to Bee that the committal to the deep was well and truly carried out. The vessel was only a few miles out from Auckland when the crew, who had been very curious as to the fate of the floor-flexile and had been nosing round it for some time previously, were ordered to assist m the dumping overboard. This job occupied a considerable time, as it took two men to (heave each roll overboard. A "Truth" representative elicited the above information from members of the crew. However, the accounts of .the dumping, differed slightly, for where some said the lino, was unfit for use, others said that much of It could be used. When it was put to the men that possibly some of the economical members of the crew had saved some of the better lino., this was indignantly repudiated — by the men who said the lino, was no good. However, others who admitted that much of the lino, vr&s m good condition, added quietly that all the stuff HAD NOT BEEN DUMPED. Some of the more alert members of the crew had seen to that. Another observed that it was significant that the rejected cargo was not dumped m the open sea far from land, but shortly after the boat had left Auckland. "The stuff floats, and anyone handy with a launch — that is, If they got the tip — would make a good haul," added the seaman significantly. All agreed, however, that the lino, would at least have made good fuel and that it was shameful waste to heave it overboard. It is alleged that the consignment, was dumped because the placing of such a large quantity of slightly dam- , aged lino, on the market at a reduced price would affect the sales of good linos, which, by the way, are bringing a top notch price just now. There's evidently a good haul floating around near Auckland Harbor for anyone who cares to scour around m a. launch — that is, if someone m the- know has not been there before them.