TROUBLE ON THE MAHENO

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1927, Page 11

TROUBLE ON THE MAHENO

A BARRAGE OF POTATOES. ■ 1 SHIP SAILS FROM SYDNEY. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, Aug. 31. A settlement of the Ulaheno trouble was reached when three stewards requested that they should be discharged. This course was agreed to by the captain, and the remainder of the men intimated that they were willing to sail. The positions of these three men were not filled. The vessel was scheduled to depart at five o’clock, but ten minutes after that hour a motor-ear containing five firemen drew up at the gangway and, without warning, one of the firemen dealt a blow at a camera in the hands of a photographer. It fell to the wharf and the plates were scattered about. A policeman asked the fireman’s name, and the Maheno’s crew, who were leaning over the rail, immediately declared that if the fireman was arrested the boat would not sail. As no notice was taken they filed off the ship. They were then told that the man would sail with them, so they went aboard again. The gangway was lowered and the ship moved away. As she did so a seaman threw a large potato at the photographer, who was still presenting his camera towards the men. Then followed a volley of potatoes from other members of the crew. Fortunately there were not many people on the wharf, but the missiles fell among them and Air. Gray, assistantmanager of the Union Company, was struck on the head and his 'hat knocked off.