THE STARRING AFFRAY

Evening Star, Issue 22620, 12 April 1937, Page 8

THE STARRING AFFRAY

CHARGE AGAINST IHDIAH START OF COURT HEARING Evidence of what happened after the stabbing affray on board the motor ship Olivebank at Ravensbourne last Friday morning was given in the Police Court before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., this morning, when Jumsherallec, an Indian, was charged on remand with wounding Jabidallee, another Indian, wth intent to do grievous bodily harm. Mr J. G. Warrington appeared for the accused, and the evidence, which was not understood by Jumsherallee, was translated into the Hindustani language by one of the motor ship’s engineers. The evidence of the two witnesses had been taken when the court adjourned for lunch, two further witnesses being heard at the afternoon sitting. Captain A. Niblock, master of the Olivebank, said the crew consisted of Europeans, Malayans, Indians, and' Chinese. The serang in the engine room was Jabidallee, who was now a patient in the Dunedin Hospital. The accused was also employed in the engine room. About 9.30 a.m. last Friday witness was in his cabin, to which the accused was brought by the chief engineer. It was then reported that Jumsherallee had stabbed Jabidallee. Witness went to see the latter, who was lying on his back on the deck. Witness asked accused why he had done it, and received the reply that the two Indians had had a dispute over some money. When asked «how he had done _it Jumsherallee produced a pocket knife. Witness then notified the Hospital, the ship’s agents, and the police. To Mr Warrington, witness said that in addition to being foreman in the engine room Jabidallee acted as a “ father ” to the others. When there were any serious troubles to he settled Jabidallee referred them to witness. There was a recognised system by which the serang paid his “ god serang ” for his job, and those who were then taken on by the serang bribed him. The accused was in the Auckland Hospital for two months, and when he was discharged he was ordered a special diet, which the serang arranged. During the last 12 months the engine room crew had been quiet, inoffensive men, who had given good service. Witness recalled a complaint that the serang had put caustic soda in the accused’s curry, but he satisfied himself, upon investigation, that there was no truth in the allegation. When it was reported to witness that the serang had been stabbed Jumsherallee, ■ who spoke a little English, understood what was said. The knife used must have been purchased ashore. Edward Aldridge, third junior engineer on the Olivebank, said that after breakfast about 9.30 a.m. on Friday he heard a yell from the engine room, where he saw the serang leaning against the bottom stairway and holding his stomach. Witness asked him what was the matter, and as a result of what the serang told him he arrested the accused and took him to the chief engineer. Witness asked the accused what he had done, and was told there was an argument about some money. To Mr Warrington witness said he did not see anyone else in the engine room beside the injured man. Pieces of wood and metal bars were lying about the room. A knife would be useful to Jumsheralleee for trimming the taper to light the boiler. When there were any arguments some of the crew sided with the serang and some did not. Accused had never mentioned to witness his mother was starving and needed money. When accused came to witness about two months ago with some discoloured curry the former thought caustic soda had been put in. The food was given to the cats, but they would not eat it. There was no proof of what the cause of the discolouration was or who had done it.

The adjournment was then taken,