SIX WEEKS’ GAOL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20489, 25 February 1941, Page 4

SIX WEEKS’ GAOL

SEAMAN ADMITS A.W.L. ECHO OF STEAMER FIRE (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. A recent fire aboard a vessel berthed at Wellintgon was referred to by Mr. R. C. Christie, representing the shipping company concerned in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday in a case in which a member of the crew was charged with being absent without leave. / Mr. Christie said that although it was not suggested the defendant’s action had been responsible for the occurrence he had by his breach of duty created an opportunity for such a happening. Walter Walpole, aged 47, a seaman, pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to six weeks’ imprisonment with hard labour, by Mr. J. L. Stout, S. “Drunk and Abusive” Mr. Christie said the defendant was due on duty at the gangway at 4 a.m., and he was not there. An apprentice whose duty it was to watch the decks was put on gangway duty, and the defendant turned up later in the day drunk and abusive. “This is a matter of grave importance in these times, said Mr. Christie. “This particular vessel suffered from an’inexplicable fire. We cannot suggest it was caused through the defendant’s actions but by a breach of duty he created the opportunity for it to happen. The defendant said that he had been on duty for four months continuously and did not have a day’s leave. During that period he, had been paid overtime for week-ends and national holidays. “But,” he added, “that does not help any man who wants a holiday.” Mr. Christie said the fact was that the defendant had had shore leave.