ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 224, 22 September 1925, Page 5

ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE.

SEAMEN BEFORE THE COURT. MUST RETURN TO THEIR SHIPS. Thirteen seamen from the s.s. Waimana and three from the s.s. Matakana appeared at the Police Court yesterday afternoon before Mr. E. C. Cutten, SAL, charged with unlawfully absenting themselves from their vessels. Mr. P_ McVeagh appeared to prosecute on behalf of the masters of both vessels. Over 100 seamen marched from the wharf to the Court bearing banners with the inscriptions, "'We prefer gaol to starvation wages" and '"Heroes 1014, Slaves 1925." In referring to the charges against the men of the Waimana. Mr. McVeagh said that they represented only a part of the crew. At first the whole of the ship's complement, with the exception of the officers, went ashore. However, about half the men had now returned, and were performing routine duties, but none of the defendants had gone back. Further informations were pending against them for combining to neglect duty, and it was proposed to ask that these should be adjourned. The necessity of having a full crew aboard was demonstrated on: Sunday night, when the vessel drasged! her anchors in the high wind. Steps j had to be taken to ensure her safety.

After the masters of the vessels had given eveidence. each defendant was ordered to return to the ship and also to forfeit £2 8/6, including 3/6 costs. The other charges pending against them were adjourned until September CO.