DESERTING THE SHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 277, 24 November 1890, Page 2

DESERTING THE SHIP.

Three seamen, named respectively John W. Hart, Peter Peterson, and Arthur Head, were ehai'ged ab the Police Court this morning before Messrs C. C. McMillan and W. McCullough, jusuicea, with having on the 17th November deserted from the American barque W. F. Weitzmann at Helen sville. Mr J. O'Meaghor appeared for the complainant. Peter Peterson pleaded guilty. The other two pleaded not guilty, and stated that they bad come into town to see the American Consul. They were only in Auckland half-an-houi when they were arrested. James Johnson deposed he waa master of the vessel. The three men wero on the arbicles,having been shipped at Melbourne. The men made no complaint to him on the voyage. On Monday, the 16th, the men left the vessel without hia permission. Henry Parker deposed that he came over as seaman on the vessel. During the voyage there was a bit of a disturbance beween the captain and the men. He had heard the captain call one of the men a coarse name. The men stated that on tho voyage the captain was continually pestering them and calling them hard names. The Bench directed that the men should be put on board again and pay all costs incurred. Mr McMillan said that the captain ought to remember that he was dealing with human beings, and not call them such names as those stated. Mr Johnson staked that he had not used such words. He had hie wife and four girla on board, and it was therefore unlikely that he would use such language. The men said that they would sooner be in prison than go on board the vessel. They also aeked to see. the Consul. The Bench said thai the Act did nob empower them to discharge foreign seamen, but a cons cable would be despatched so thab they might see the American Consul.