A SHIRKER PUNISHED

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144854, 4 December 1915, Page 6

A SHIRKER PUNISHED

BY HIS SHOP MATES. A somewhat remarkable scene occurred on the Queen’s Wharf, Auckland, on Tuesday, just before the Alakura sailed tor Vancouver, and a young man was prevented from leaving New Zealand. Eight men—three of whom have lost their l.vcs—have gone to the front from the employ of Messrs. Stones and White, ironfoundors, and others are waiting to be called up for service. But there were two men in the firms’ employ who did not scent so eager to serve, and one left New Zealand, presumably for America, some time ago. The other, a healthy young man of ’27, remained at work, but u was reported that ho had declared that if ever there was a likelihood of conscription coming into force, he likewisewould leave for America. The workmen became suspicious of thoir fellowemployeo on Monday. The Makura-, on her way to Vancouver, had arrived in port, and during t|ie day the young man received an nnuMrii r -•! ,m- - callers at tho workshop. When, on Tuesday morning, me man ..... i. . come to work ns usual, they asked, and were granted, an hour’s leave, and an hour before the Alakura was to sail 30 men marched in a body to the wharf. Two men went aboard, but a thorough search failed to reveal tho man they sought. The, party waited about, however, and a few minutes before the ship was to sail they discovered their man driving up to the gangway in a hooded cart, with his luggage beside him. “A shirker, a shirker.” thev shouted, and surrounded the cart, and compelled the driver to return along tho wharf. The cart, and the wduldbe traveller, were kept there until the steamer sailed, and the young man had to bear as host he could the very outspoken comments of his late fellow workers. Then ho was allowed to go. Ho is apparently still a resident of Now Zealand, but his place in the workshop was again vacant on Wednesday.