_The Evening Post_, 22 April 1925:
CARGO OF GUANO
DISPUTE WITH WATERSIDE
WORKERS

(BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

AUCKLAND, 21st April.
Trouble arose to-day over the discharge of the Union Company’s cargo steamer Kakapo, which arrived early this morning from Walpole Island with a cargo of bagged #guano. Six gangs were engaged to work the vessel, but when the steamer berthed at Central Wharf only three gangs were ready to commence discharge. The hatches were lifted, and everything was ready for unloading, when the secretary of the Watersiders’ Union ordered the men to cease work. The hatches were again covered, and the steamer remained idle.
The Union Company state that the men were offered 2s 7½d [ca. $16.60 today] per hour to work the ship, but the offer was not accepted. The award wage for the working of guano is 2s 4½d [ca. $15], 2d [ca. $1.05] in excess of that for the handling of ordinary cargo. A similar situation arose when the Kakapo arrived at Auckland some months ago with the same kind of cargo. On that occasion the vessel was idle for several days before an agreement was reached. No decision had been reached to-night.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19250422.2.112