REFUSAL TO WORK IN SHIP

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 296, 10 September 1938, Page 13

REFUSAL TO WORK IN SHIP

Jail For Quartermaster

THREW PLATE OF STEW OVER CHIEF STEWARD By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, September 9. Because he refused to work in his ship, the City of Pittsburg, after being Hued £lO on Thursday for assaulting the chief steward by throwing a plate of stew over him, John Alfred Rice, quartermaster, aged 38, was again brought before the Magistrates Court to-day. .Sergeant Tocker said the shipping company had paid the fine and accused would be required to work it off. However, lie refused to work and the company had no alternative but to take measures to right the matter. Accused said he wanted to leave the ship. 'There hatl been trouble right through the present voyage and he was afraid there might be more if he stayed. He realised he might be sent to jail but this, he added, would allow him to get clear of the ship. Captain Butler, master of. the ship, said he would be glad to keep accused if he would work, but he was too stubborn to do anything and it was not now desirable that he should return. The only trouble in the ship was caused by accused himself. “At sea we have our own method of dealing with men who refuse to work.” added Captain Butler. “He must work or starve. It would be impossible to follow this practice while the ship is trading around the coast." Mr. IV. R. McKean. S.M.. said it seemed a pity accused could not have made up his quarrel with the chief steward. He would be better off working in bis ship than in prison, but. he seemed to have made his own choice. Accused was sentenced to 21 days’ imprisonment, the magistrate adding that arrangements would be made to send him to England on a later ship, as offered by the company.