SEAMEN QUARREL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 77, 31 March 1928, Page 12

SEAMEN QUARREL.

AFFRAY ON WAIPIATA. ONE MAN IN HOSPITAL. TTTE OTHER ARRESTED.

As the result of a serious affray on board the Union freighter Waipiata at 11.15 last night, Angus McKay, bo'sun of the vrss.'l, received injuries to his head and was admitted to the hospital in an unconscious condition, while another seaman off the same boat, Angus McLean, was arrested on a charge of doing bodily harm to McKav.

McLean appeared before Mr. W. R McKcnn, S.M., at the Police Court this morning on the charge. One of his eyes was blackened, his face was bruised and his right hand was swathed in bandages.

Sub-Inspector McCarthy said that he was in rather a. difficulty. The steamer was sailing at noon and the witnesses would not bo back in port again for three weeks. McKay was in hospital suffering from concussion. He had two wounds on his head which had been inflicted with a large hammer (produced). It was not thought that his injuries would result fatally, the hospital authorities stating that the injured man might poH»ibly be fit to leave the institution in a week's time. McLean admitted that ho struck McKay with the hammer. The evidence would suggest that accused had to defend himself from tho other man, who was the aggressor.

Sergcnnt Anglnncl stated that at 11.40 last night he went down to the steamer, which was at the Prince's wharf, anil founrl that Mi-Kay had been assaulted by McLean. Accused admitted striking the other man on the head with the hammer. Six weeks ago McLean had to leave his ship nt Dunedin and enter hospital. On rejoining his ship he found that McKay had got his job as bo'sun. Since then there was some animosity between the two men. On Thursday there was trouble, McKay assaulting McLean. Again, last night McKay went down to the fo'c'sle and assaulted McLean, who was in his bunk. McKay went away, but returned shortly afterwards and again abused and assaulted McLean. There was no doubt that McKay was the aggressor.

At this stage the case was adjourned until Monday. In the meantime accused is to be held in custody, but should the injured man show signs of improvement by then he will be admitted to bail.