MASTER MARINER BEGGING

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 March 1933, Page 4

MASTER MARINER BEGGING

'ITIE BENCH'S SYMPATHY. LONDON, January 24. Arthur Curtis Wilson, 52, described as a master mariner, of Wandsworthroad, S.W., was charged at. Ealing yesterday with begging and wearing the uniform of the British Mercantile Marine in such circumstances as to be likely to bring contempt on the uniform. He pleaded not guilty. A police-constable stated that Wilson displayed a number of boxes of matches with the words. “Mercantile Marine oflicer. One thousand ships idle.” lit his possession was a mas-

tea’s certificate issued by the Board of Trade in l!H I. "Whether he has been the master of a ship or not, I don't know," said the oflicor, “but ho has certainly been a chief officer, or the certificate would not. have been issued to him." Wilson told the court: “There are captains and chief officers of ships half! starving in the City. Some of (hem tiro sleeping in the crypt, of st. Martin’s and some have committed suicide.” The Chairman (Mr. Walter Davies): Your certificate is perfectly satisfaclf>ry, and it is sad to see an oflicer in Amir present position.' You will be dis- 1 charged, ami we wish yen better luck in the future. • ■