TROUBLE ON A BARQUE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 26, 31 January 1910, Page 6

TROUBLE ON A BARQUE.

, OFSTCEBS SENT TO GAOL.

(By •Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WESTPOBT, Saturday.

The mate and second mate, two 'AJB.'s, and two boys from the Norwegian barque Odd, appeared before Sir. Bawson, S.M., to-day, charged ■with (1) disobeying the lawful commands of Captain Torgensen, master of the ship, and (2) combining to disobej his commands. The accused had claimed their discharge on the ground that the food provided was not according to their articles. This was refused, after inquiry, by the Norwegian vice-Consul at Westport. Appeal was made to the Consul at Wellington, who held that the men had some cause of complaint, but insufficient to warrant their discharge. The Consul ordered the reprovisioning of the vessel, and the return of the m«n to work. They still refused, and the matter was brought before the Magistrate's Court. The Magistrate heard evidence bearing on the food and water complaints, but finally declared that thi swas inadmissible, and on the two charges found the crew guilty.

Both boys -were convicted and discharged, the Magistrate saying they ■were evidently led by the two officers, end would probably lose part or all the money t&at otherwise would come to them. The two A.B.s were treated similarly, as being also more or less led by the officers. The first mate was convicted and sentenced to a fortnight's imprisonment on both charges, the sentences to be concurrent, and the second mate to a week on each charge, the sentences to be concurrent.

The Magistrate stated that the officers coald, if the captain desired, be placed aboard the ship when about to take her departure, and as the crew have disobeyed a Consular judgment, all are understood to be liable to be placed aboard under arrest, and taken back to Norway.

A new crew arrived on Friday from Australia, but have refused duty, so things are still unsettled.