BLACK MAN’S PLAINT

Evening Star, Issue 19533, 14 April 1927, Page 2

BLACK MAN’S PLAINT

STRUCK BY CAPTAIN TROUBLE WITH COLORED SEAMEN . ASSAULT CHARGE DISMISSED. [Pee United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, April 13. An unusual case came, before Mr E. C. Cutten, S.M., at the Police Court, when Samuel Alphonsus Ingram, a particularly dark West African seaman on the City of Chois, charged the inaster of the ship (Captain Richard Edwin Oliver) with having assaulted him last evening by striking him on the head with a “ black jack.” The master pleaded not guilty. Complainant, who spoke fairly good English, stated that he was a British subject. He alleged that he and other colored men had occasion to complain of the food after the ship cleared Panama. They got rice twice a day and no potatoes. Witness complained to the captain. On arrival at Auckland on Monday morning witness and others asked the captain for some money due to them as wages. Captain Oliver said that they would get it “later on.” About 5 o’clock last evening he went to the chief steward and the chief officer for his wages, but was told that the captain was not on board. Then the captain pushed the door in and told witness and others to get outside. “We got outside and went and sat on No. A hatch top,” said witness. “ Next thing that happened was that I got a hit on the head with a black jack and fell to the ground. Afterwards 1 went to the captain and asked him what he did that for, and ho replied: ‘You have got to work satisfactorily before you get any money.’ ” Complainant further alleged that the master again struck him several times with a black jack on the head. The captain, he alleged, threatened to shoot some of the other men.

For the defence it was stated that the captain had experienced trouble with some colored members of the creiv. Last night they went on deck, used abusive language, and created a terrible din. Ingram appeared “to <go insane,” and excited the others. The captain thought serious trouble would arise, and sent for the waterfront police. Ho would admit that he seized hold of Ingram, who attempted to strike him. Captain Oliver struck Ingram a blow, but it was in self-de-fence. . The Magistrate said it was admitted that the captain struck Ingram, but the circumstances relating to the case showed that force was necessary, as complainant had evidently behaved in a manner that allowed no other course to be taken. The charge would be dismissed.