PATHETIC APPEAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 220, 17 September 1938, Page 14

PATHETIC APPEAL.

SHIP'S BOY TELLS STORY.

NO WISH TO GO HOME.

A pathetic appeal was made in the Police Court yesterday by a defaulting ship's boy, supported by his brother, to be permitted to break his articles with the ship Rangitane from which he was absent without leave.

Just tall enough to be able to look over the top rail of the dock, Stanley George Robert South gate, aged 17, pleaded guilty to a charge of being absent without leave from the vessel at Auckland on September 1.

The ship's agent told the magistrate that Southgate was not on board when the Rangitane left Auckland for coastal ports on September 1, and eo a warrant was issued for his arrest. Southgate explained that he left the ship so that he could stay in Auckland with his brother. The Rangitane was due at Auckland at the week-end and would sail finally for the United Kingdom next Thursday. Southgate was wanted back on board. Sub-Inspector Fox said Southgate had been staying with his brother, who lived at Otahuhu. He had been working in a soap factory. His work there was not regarded a* satisfactory by his employers. Accused's brother then asked if he might say something. "His work was quite all he &aid. "The trouble was that my brother was expiated to do the work of a man when another was ill with the measles. If he is allowed to stay here I will provide him with a home. I ask that he should not be sent back home. He has had a hard life at home, I know. That's why I'm out in this country."

The magistrate remarked that Southgate had signed on the ship and he would have to rejoin his vessel. When he returned home he could come back to New Zealand if he wished, but he had to keep his contract now.

The boy himself then had something to say. "I have been the victim of spite at home. I am one of a family of

11, and when at home I never had any pocket money. My mother told me to go to sea, and when I did go to sea all I got was 1/ per week as pocket money. I don't want to go back home. Please, sir, I want to be allowed to stay here." The brother of -accused again appealed to the magistrate to allow the boy to remain in New Zealand. "If he is sent back home he might turn out a criminal," he said.

"Well, if he would turn out a criminal because he was made to keep his contract we don't * r ant him in this country," said the magistrate. "Did you advise him to leave his ship?—No, sir.

Well, you are giving him shelter? — Yes, because I know he won't go home and I thought it better to have him here with me than him going to Australia, where he has no friends.

Mr. Orr Walker said the boy would have to rejoin his ship. He could not be allowed to remain with the Salvation Army until the Rangitane returned in case he Tan away.

South prate was remanded in cue-tody until Tuesday for # sentence, the magistrate making an order that while he is in prison lie is to be kept apart froin other prisoners.