SHIP DESERTION

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28888, 7 May 1959, Page 16

SHIP DESERTION

“Exceptional” Case In Wellington

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 6.

A cook from the liner Wanganella who was put ashore in Wellington for hospital treatment after being injured in a recent stormy Tasman crossing was on his way to Auckland to join a ship back to Australia when he was arrested as a deserter. This was said in the Magistrate’s Court at Wellington, today, when William Joseph Conway, aged 32, was charged before Mr J. B. Thomson, S.M.. under an information laid under the Shipping and Seamen Act, 1908. The act was altered under legislation of 1952, which changed penalties for desertion. Conway pleaded guilty to deserting his ship, * the Wairunj, at Auckland on December 14. 1951.

The Court was told that Conway left the Wairuna during the waterfront strike. He remained in New Zealand in another job until 1953, when he obtained a tax clearance and left New Zealand for Australia. From there he went back to sea.

Commenting that the case was “a little exceptional,” the Magistrate said he would convict Conway under the 1908 Act, and would release him on bail under the 1952 Act, providing he reported to the police pending his passage back to Australia. He was allowed bail at £lOO, with one surety of £lOO.