UNRULY PASSENGERS AT SEA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15050, 25 January 1911, Page 4

UNRULY PASSENGERS AT SEA.

SUBDUED BY THE FIRE HOSE.

Although, generally speaking, the immigrants who arrived at Melbourne by tho steamer Marmiri were tractable and perfectly; well bebaved, the voyage did not pass without unpleasant incidents. A small section of the immigrants, mostly young men, began to chafe under the monotony of aprotracted sc.i- voyage and to develop a roystering spirit. The troublesome individuals ivere nil members of the contingent for New South Wales. About two dn-ys out from Capetown several of them began drinking somewhat freely, having, laid in a stock of liquor at the South African port, and towards nightfall they became very hilarious in one of the forward cabins. Presently a quarrel arose over a missing botrJo of 'bear; Various persons wore interrogated ami threatened, but the missing bottle, was 6ti'.l iinrevnaletl, and the fuddled inquisitors presently concluded that the captain and crow must have had a finger in the mystery. Furniture was thrown about, and -it tempts were made to kick partitions down: the captain, in his absence, was anathematised. Soon tfiu noise became intolerable, and fhen the skipper appeared on the scene nnd commanded silence. He was loudly defied. "Pass the nro hose ii-long. men," ho said calmly, turning to eo'.nq teamen who supported him, nntl -when his order had been obeyed, and a man had been stationed nt the hydrant prepared to turn on the water at full pressure, Ihe captain pointed the shining nozzlo at ihe belligerent passengers, and ordered torn into th'eir bunks. Perfect order ensued |in a few minutes, and for drunken men the immigrants performed' feats in removing their clothing. No more trouble was experienced with them.