RIOT ON PORT DARWIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 511, 14 November 1928, Page 1

RIOT ON PORT DARWIN

Firemen Attack Engineer OFFICERS INJURED IN UGLY BRAWL

AN ugly sequel to the fining of 15 seamen and firemen for disobeying an order occurred on the Port Darwin at Queen’s Wharf to-day. The ch:ef engineer, Mr. Robertson, was subjected to a savage attack and in the riot which followed Captain I. W. R. Sawbridge, master of the steamer, and Captain Hollis, superintendent of New Zealand for the company, were injured.

Shortly after one o’clock Mr. Robertson was grabbed by several firemen and he was held against a bulkhead. Captain Dowbridge and Captain Hollis went to his rescue and a free fight ensued. Captain I. W. R. Sawbridge, master of the steamer, and Captain Hollis, marine superintendent of New Zealand for the company, went to the rescue of the chief engineer. The firemen grabbed Mr. Robertson by the neck, and held him against the bulkhead. In the attempt at rescue Captain Sawbridge and Captain Hollis both received injuries. Captain Hollis lost several front teeth as well as suffering several gashes on his face. The master of the vessel had his thumb bitten by his enraged assailants, and he also suffered head injuries. The ship’s apprentices went to the aid of their senior officers and many of them showed cuts and bruises as a result. The firemen were content to use their fists at first, but later one

man seized a crowbar and went to hit the master. Fortunately he was prevented from doing so. Two policemen arrived on the scene before the fight had died out, but did nothing till reinforcements arrived. Then about ten police in all took charge of the vessel, and stood by to see that no further violence took, place. At X p.m., half an hour after theoutbreak ’of the fighting, the firemen sent a deputation to Captain Hollis and the master asking for terms, hut Captain Hollis would not announce his decision till later this afternoon. The trouble arose over the fines imposed by the Court yesterday, when the men had been fined two days’ pay for disobedience on the high seas. While the vessel was en route from New Plymouth to Auckland 15 firemen refused to work the coal, which they alleged was heated in the bunkers. Consequently the officers and apprentices had to shift the coal while the men looked on.