CREW ARRESTED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 195, 21 August 1935, Page 7

CREW ARRESTED

UNION COY.’S WAIKOUAITI REFUSAL TO TAKE SHIP TO SEA. TO SEA. OBJECTION TO COOKING. (Per Press Association.y INVERCARGILL, Aug. 20. Because they objected to the cooking, the crew of the Union Company’s intercolonial freighter Waikouaiti, which has completed loading at the Bluff for Sydney, twice refused to take the ship to sea. As a result 26 of them were arrested to-day and brought before the Police Court, at Bluff on charges of disobeying the lawful command of the master. The Court was twice adjourned to enable a settlement to be reached. This was not done iu the first occasion, and tho men will appear for a third time at 10 o’clock to-morrow morning. The Waikouaiti arrived at Bluff on Saturday evening aud had finished loading on Alonday cargo including perishable produce. She was timed to sail at 11.30 that night for Sydney, but the crow refused to take out the vessel because they were dissatisfied with the cooking. It was then arranged that the Waikouaiti should clear port before mid-day to-day, but the seamen again stated their objections and refused duty. Informations were sworn and 26 seamen wore arrested. At 1 p.m. the men were charged ni the Police Court before justices of the peace with disobeying the lawful commands of the master. Captain Grey stated that he had been in command of the Waikouaiti for six months, and only once previously had a complaint regarding the cooking been made to him. It was decided to adjourn the sitting till 3 p.m. in the hope of a settlement being reached. It was stated that the men had been in communication with Dunedin, and an official of . the Seamen’s Union was expected to reach Bluff to-morrow As soon as tho sitting was resumed, Mr. McFarlane, the men’s representative, asked for an adjournment till 10 • o’clock to-morrow morning. “We can’t guarantee a settlement,” he said, “but we will do our best.” ; Captain Grey said he was willing, and this course was agreed to. “You men are under arrest, and i there is not enough accommodation for you at Bluff,” remarked Air. E. A. Nichol, J.P., amidst laughter. “We don’t want to put you to any inconvenience, so will you give your bond to be here at 10 o’clock to-morrow?” “Yes,” was the chorused reply.