Fijian Seamen Granted
pp. 57-58 · Read in the full issue
War-Risk Bonus
DRESSED in Marlborough School blazers, “old school” ties, and other second-hand garments, 21 Fijians appeared at Bristol Police Court to-day, charged with refusing to put to sea, said an Australian Associated Press despatch from London on March 10.
The islanders, who signed on in Syd ney, complained that they had been refused a war bonus though undertak ing great risks. Shipping representa tives agreed to a grant of 30/- a month as a bonus which was ordered by the magistrate, who sentenced the Fijians to one day’s imprisonment.
It has been reported recently, in vari ous newspapers, that two large liners are now being built for the Matson Line service, between San Francisco, New Zealand and Australia. It is stated that each of the two liners will be 759 feet long, with a beam of nearly 100 feet, and that the gross tonnage of each will be about 35,000. They will have a service speed of about 24 knots. It is stated that the two vessels will cost over £6,000,000 to construct.
Mr. J. Hope, of the New Guinea Public Works Department, is at present spend ing furlough in Melbourne.