THE MARINE SCANDAL.

Evening Star, Issue 10882, 16 March 1899, Page 1

THE MARINE SCANDAL.

[Special to the Star.)

WELLINGTON, March 16.

The statement attached to the writ issued by the Crown Prosecutor against James Jones states that he was not duly qualified to make application for the certificate granted to him, or to sit for examination, or to receive a certificate as a master, and that he had previously held no higher position than that of master of a river steamer. The plaintiff (the Solicitor-General) craves leave to refer to the said application of George Allman, who falsely represented to the Marine Department that the Minister-in-charge had authorised and directed that the said James Jones should be permitted to sit for such examination, and relying upon such representation he was allowed to sit accordingly. Reference is then made to the questions and answers supplied to defendant upon a printed form and Jones being illiterate, and the written portion of the questions and answers were previously supplied in the handwriting of Captain Von Schoen, teacher of navigation. These were produced by the defendant as having been properly obtained, and as showing that he had duly passed the examination. Since the di-covery of these facts a demand had been made ou Jones to deliver up the said certificate, but he refused to do so, and the certificate was declared invalid by the Governor-in-Couneil. The plaintiff therefore claims (1) That the said certificate as master of a Home trading vessel should bs declared void ; (2) that the defendant should bo ordered to deliver up the said certificate to bo cancelled j (3) that pending the final order of the Court an injunction may issue restraining the said James Jones from making use. of the said certificate; (4) that the Court may grant such other and further relief as may be deemed fit; (5) that the defendant pay all costs. The ease cannot be heard until the next session of the Supreme Court, Captain Jones is somewhat popular in shipping circles here, and will have many sympathisers, t hoar he will offer a strong defence, and threatens to make startling disclosures. Tom Young, local secretary of the Federated Seamen’s Union, states that he will take no active part in the marine scandals, leaving the Government to obtain information as to the alleged irregularities. _ Captain Jones has seven days within which to file his defence.