SHIPPING STRIKE ECHO

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 2 August 1933, Page 4

SHIPPING STRIKE ECHO

ASSAULT CHARGE FAILS

CUTTING OF MOORING LINES.

DOUBTS OF IDENTITY.

CBj. leiegruph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 1. Events on the tug wharf on a night in Alay at the time of the shipping strike were related in the Supreme Court to-day at tile trial of Spencer Leo Parsloe, snip’s fireman, aged 33, before Air justice Reed and a jury. Parsloe was charged with assaulting Robert Reaikin, night watchman employed by the Union Steam Ship Company, and with attempting to cast off the tug Natone. The prosecution alleged that Parsloe was seen interfering with tlie hawsers mooring the tug, and that- lie subsequently joined in an assault on Renkm. Tlio police were called and Parsloe was arrested, but Jus companion escaped. It was found afterwards that one of the mooring lines had been severed and two strands of another line had been cut through. Constable MeGlynn took Parsloe to the wharf Police station, wJiere Renkm identified him. It was alleged that at the police station Parsloe said; “What would you do if you had ‘scabs’ taking your bread and butter away from you.”

Evidence wqs given by Robert Renkin, wlio said there was no doubt Parsloe was one of the men who assaulted him

Constable AlcGlynn -said he had not been able to place definitely the man who had cut the ropes. Parsloe, in the box, said that on the night of Alay 6 he was detailed to do picketing at the railway wharf gates. He never got on to the wharves, the gates being locked. While returning he was accosted by a constable. He denied absolutely taking part in the struggle near tlie Natone. Sydney Hale, a seaman, said that when he went to relieve at picket auiy lie found Parsloe drunk. Counsel for Parsloe submitted that before the charge of attempting to cast the ship off could succeed it would .have to be proved that Parsloe intended to destroy the vessel. The judge agreed, and the prosecutor withdrew the charge. Counsel held that the identity of lbo man who had committed the assault had been mistaken. Tlie prosecutor said there was no doubt- as to the identification. Tlie jury returned a verdict of nut guilty, and Parsloe was discharged. FRACAS IN RESTAURANT. EVIDENCE PARTLY HEARD. » WELLINGTON, Aug. 1. Charges involving common assault were preferred against Robert Adams, ship’s fire-man, aged 30, in the Supreme Court to-day. The case arose out- of the recent shipping: strike. It was alleged Adams went up to a man in a restaurant and because he had reason to suspect- he had signed on as a non-union member of the crew of the liner Alaunganui, assaulted him by throwing a plate of food into his race, with the result that his face was cut, necessitating the insertion of five stitches.

After part of the evidence had Deen heard the case was adjourned until tomorrow. Just before the adjournment was taken Air Justice Reed remarked that tlie case was one in which there might be a certain amount- of feeling. Because of that someone might try to approach the jury, which would be an impudent thing to do; also- a cr me. His Honour did not doubt- that should anyone be foolish, enough to .peak to them about the case lie would ba treated as lie deserved.