SHIP DESERTION ALLEGED

Evening Star, Issue 25809, 4 June 1946, Page 2

SHIP DESERTION ALLEGED

CHARGE AGAINST CABIN BOY DISMISSED 111 the Police Court this morning the shipping manager of the Shell Oil Company, agents for the vessel, proceeded against.Sydncy William Harvey, a cabin boy, aged 18, on a charge of, at Napier, having deserted the ship British Restraint. Mr F. M. Hanan appeared for the prosecution and Mr A. G. Neill for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. Mr Hanan said that the accused, who was a Dunedin boy, had deserted the ship at Napier and come to this city. These offences, he addedi were regarded seriously; as endangering the whole setup of ■ the shipping industry. Harvey had signed up on the tanker .in Dunedin, and had discussed the terms of Ms engagement with the local superintendent _of marine. The accused being a minor, the consent of his parents was necessary, and this had been" obtained. The British Restraint was now in the Pacific,-and 11; was impossible for the captain to be called as a witness. Captain Guy Miller Simpson, superintendent of mercantile marine in Dunedin, described the method adopted in the signing of articles and the circumstances connected with the accused's engagement. Witness did not possess the actual articles, which were with, the captain of the ship, but he produced a departmental record of the engagement of the accused. Mr Neill, in the cross-examination, contended that several essential matters had not been proved by the prosecution. It had not been shown that the provisions of the Act had been observed, nor had the actual articles been produced. Counsel contended that this was necessary if the prosecution was to succeed. Constable Clarke, who had.arrested the accused at his home in King street. said that Harvey had told him he had left the ship because he was dissatisfied with the treatment he had received from the officers. The magistrate (Mr W. H. Bundle) said that this was a criminal charge and must be clearly proved. It would be quite impossible and improper to convict without the production of the articles, and the charge would be dismissed.