COURTS AND OFFENCES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 November 1928, Page 3

COURTS AND OFFENCES.

SEAMEN AND, FIREMEN IN TROUBLE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Nov. 13. Eight seamen and seven firemen of the steamer Pert Darwin were charged in the Police Court to-day with disobeying a lawful order given by tlie master on November 10 when the vessel was between New Plymouth and Auckland. Counsel for the company said that on the way front Timaru to New Plymouth the coal in a fore bunker had become heated. Waterside workers at New Plymouth refused to shift it unless paid higher wages on account of the fumes and heat. When the ship went to sea the firemen and sailors had also refused 1 to do their duty, making it necessary for offices and apprentices to d,o the work. He believed coercion had I>een brought to hear on the sailors. A® the ship was- sailing to-morrow he asked that the men should 1 not ho imprisoned. Counsel for the men said thei affair originated some months ago. The chief engineer had promised the men the order would not be given. Counsel could do nothing, however, bait plead ‘guilty. The- trimmers 1 would have done the work if paid the same wages as the wa tensido rs> “If there is one thing to he strictly observed it is the order of officers on ships l at sen.” remarked Mr. F. K. Hunt. S.M.. as lie fined the trimmers two days’ pay and the sailors one day.