MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3022, 8 March 1917, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

DISOBEYING ORDERS

TWO FIREMEN FINED

Mr. L. G. Reid, S.M., presided over yesterday's sitting of tho Magistrate's Court. Failure to.obey tho lawful commands of tho master of their vessel was the chargo laid against two firemen Earned Thomas Farley and Edward Smith. Mt. A. W. Blair appeared for the owners of tho vessel, and Mr. J. J. M'Grath defended. Mr. Blnir said tho accused were firemen on an overseas vessel engaged upon Government work of the highest importance. At Sydney some- of tho crowdeserted, Imfc arrangements were made so that the firemen did not havo to do any extra work. At Auckland an -unsuccessful attempt to get more firemen was made. When tho time came for tho vessel. to leave, the firemen struck, aiid the accused held the vessel tip for twelve hours, costing the country £600. A more serious matter than the lose of this amount -was the fact that the arrival of the vessel at her ultimate destination would be delayed. Tho chief offender in the matter was Smith, whose lead Farley had followed. The accused would plead that the ehip was short of firemen. The captain, Tiowever, had offered to cut out one of the boilers (which would make tho crowmore than a full ono). or pay Australian overtime rates, which were better than the New Zealand rates. The men ultimatelv agreed to work the ship on the conditions proposed, hut thoy first caused the loss of a day,'

Evidence for the prosecution was called. ■ For tho defence, Mr. M'Grath stated that the action of the accused •was due to the .fact that the vessel was shorthanded. They delayed the vessel only for an hour in order to consult tho local union as to -whether they should accept, overtime to the detriment of local men who were willing to fill tb<? vacancies. Tt was contended that the captain had no right to command the men to f?o to sea on a BhJp that was shorthanded. 'After licnraio- thp evidence for -the defence. His Worship , fined each accused £1 and costs 7s.

VARIOUS CASES. Walter Turner, alias Taiho, appeared on a charge of assaulting ono Charles Lathan, and stealing from the latter's person the sum of £1. Mr. E. K. Kirkcaldio represented the accused. The chargo arose out of an occurrence in the bar of the Albion Hotel, the prosecution alleging that there was a scuffle and that accused snatched a £1 note from the comnlainant. Turner was committed for trial.

Joseph Weakes. an old man, charged with being found in a state of helpless drunkenness at Maeterton, was convicted and ordered to pay expenses amounting to £3 14s. 2d.

James Smith and Edward Enefer, two seamen who had assaulted a cafo proprietor when the latter attempted to detain them till thoy paid for a meal, were each fined 10s., with the alternative of spending three days in gaol. Tho defendant Enefer was further fined 20s. for using obscene language. Tho alternativo fixeel in _this case was also three days' imprisonment.