SEAMEN IN COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 296, 14 December 1922, Page 5

SEAMEN IN COURT.

ALLEGED BREACH Or AWARBi

JTHTHEE CASES HEARD.

Further charges against seamen a.ri£ ing out of the shipping trouble were heard by Mr. E. C. C'utten in the Magistrate's Court to-day. Albert Johnston, master of the s.s. Daphne, stated that on Wednesday, November 1, he was on the bridga, and he called the men up and told them they were working under the new award. The men said they knew nothing about the award, and they gave 24 hours' notice till they found out about it. In the afternoon he spoke to the firemen, They also gave 24 hours' notic* Until they found out what the new award was. The men left the sh4p on Thursday about i p.m. By Sfr. Holmden, witnesn did not suggest that the men should take 24 houra to find out about the i»W award. They said they never had a copy of the new award. "He considered it was bis duty to tell the men that they were under the new award. The men wer» paid off on the Thursday afternoon. The conversation took place at Whangarei and the boat was brought back to Auckland. There was no trouble whatever with the men about bringing tbe Daphne back to Auckland. By Mr. Meredith: The 24 hours' notice was sufficient to bring the boat back to Auckland.

By Mr. Holmden: Witness thought as the men's wages were being altered it was his duty to tell them they were under the new award. _

Ernest Spence Goertz, master of the Apanui, stated that his crew gave notice on November 2. at Auckland. The men came in a body to give notice. The men said they would not work under the new award. He asked them if, they were unanimous and the reply was that they were unanimous. Prior to tbe men giving notice he had been away from Auckland four days. The steamer had been five or six hours in port when the men gave notice.

By Mr. Holmden: Witness did not call the men together to tell ttiem they were under the new award. HJet did not ask one man if he was willing to work under the new award. After giving notice the men worked right up to the time the notice elapsed.

John Freeman, master of th# Taniwh*. stated that his crew gave notice ow November Ist at Paeroa. The steamer arrived in Auckland next day. The seven men of the crew came in a body to give notice. The spokesman asked if they were working under the new award? Witness replied, yes! The men thea gave 24 hours' notice. The men got their two days' pay next day, also their six months holiday pay. Everard John McLellan, chief officer of the Kaituna. stated that one of the deck hands told him they had all t» attend a stQp work meeting. He »aw them all leave the ship, and also return. They gave 24 hours' notice and were paid off the next day. John W. Leckie, chief engineer in the Kurow, stated the firemen gave him notice on November 2nd, but mentioned no reason. Witness did not a»k for any reason. This concluded the evidence to b» called to-day. The further hearing was adjourned till 2.15 p.m. on Wednesday 20th instant.