CHINESE IMPRISONED

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 February 1942, Page 3

CHINESE IMPRISONED

DESERTION FROM SHIP

CHRISTCHURCH, February 17. In the Magistrate’s Court, to-day a charge of desertion from a British ship, at Lyttelton, on February 9, 1942, was preferred against Lee Yung, a Chinese, 30, Lee being a seaman in the sea service as a cook. He was further charged that not being a person of British birth or parentage, he entered New Zealand without a permit as required by the Immigration Restrictions Act, 1942. Through an interpreter Lee pleaded guilty to both charges. The accused was arrested by a detective yesterday, said Sub-Inspector E. T. C. Turner. He had been absent from the ship for more than a week. Lee stated in evidence that he had been granted leave for one day, and came to town to buy blankets, pillows, and clothes. On becoming lost and overstaying his leave he was frightened and went into hiding. On the ship he had had “a rough spin” from the boatswain, of whom he was afraid, and did not want to return because of this and overstaying his leave. The accused was sentenced to 30 days’ imprisonment on the first charge, and was convicted and discharged on the second. An order was made for his deportation at the earliest opportunity.