The Schooner Orpheus in Dispute.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 8228, 8 June 1895, Page 3

The Schooner Orpheus in Dispute.

The Napier Neivs of the 4th instant reports There was some excitement at the Port this morning, when the skipper recently sent down from Auckland to take command of the schooner Orpheus attempted to fulfil his mission. A quantity of caago was sent down to go aboard, but Captain Smith (the present master) emphatically declined to ship the cargo or to allow the new captain to come aboard, and ordered his men to haul the vessel along to the cattle wharf, intending to drop out with the tide to the bay. The other skipper, however, ordered them not to touch the ropes, and the men, not knowing whom to obey were in a fix, and decided not to take orders from either. Having been informed, however, that as they had shipped nnder Captain Smith they were bound to obey him, they immediately started to haul the vessel along the breastwork, much against the will of Captain Christiansen (the new man) who kept hanging on to a rope endeavouring to stop the progress of the vessel. Captain Smith cut the rope, but on reaching the cattle wharf another difficulty arose, the. Harbourmaster informing him that he would not allow the vessel to leave the port without ballast, in compliance with the harbour regulations. Eventually he hauled the vessel over to the Petane Bridge, where she was moored. The Collector of Customs, Harbour Master, and Constable Harvey then proceeded over in the pilot boat to reason with Captain Smith, but were taken no, notice of, so returned to the Avharf. Captain Smith has a third share of the vessel in his wife’s name, and as there are claims for wages and other expenses against the vessel, he declines to give up possession till such claims are settled. There is likely to be more trouble before the business is finished.