£B5 DAMAGES

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1927, Page 2

£BS DAMAGES

SHIP’S COOK AND CREW. “ A FEW PALTRY SAUSAGES.” AUCKLAND, .March 23. “The whole thing is an absurd storm in a teacup, and it is most childish to sea fuli'-growii men acting in this way,” said Air Justice Alncgregor m the Supreme Court at the conclusion of the claim for 11209 damages made by Ernest Arnold, ship’s cook (Air Cahill), against 'Thomas Frederick Anderson, secretary of the Auckland branch ot the Seamen’s Union (Ah- Holniden). and David Frederick Wright, greaser (Air Vialoux), on the grounds of an alleged conspiracy at the time of tile seamen’s strike, m February, 1928, to have Arnold removed from his position as cook of the steamer Waitomo.

The hearing had occupied part ol two days. The firemen of the ship, it appeared, refused duty because their demand that Arnoi’d should he removed from his position was not granted, and for persisting in their refusal to work were sent to gaol. Plaintiff alleged that there was a conspiracy against him. ns the result of which lie had lost his employment and had been unable to secure another position. He denied certain allegations about lus cooking being bad, his galley being dirty, and the food lie served up being unfit to eat. AlucTi was made in evidence for the defence of one such complaint about sausages which were not good. His Honour, in summing up, said the cases against the two defendants were entirely different. The evidence did not support the allegations against Anderson, who had apparently acted in a reasonable manner throughout. Tn his ease, judgment would he given for defendant with costs. ,

“ All tliis talk we have had in the past two days about had cooking and the dirty state of the galley is much exaggerated, and is largely an afterthought,” remarked his Honour, in referring to the allegations against Wright. “It is extraordinary that reasonable working men should he prepared to sacrifice a fellow worker with a family for the sake of a few paltry sausages. The evidence shows a successful conspiracy by the firemen to get rid of plaintiff from the ship. Tills is precisely the kind of conspiracy that actions of this kind are intended to remedy, and if possible, to prevent These gallant heroes went to prison for the sake of a few doubtful sausages, and the evidence shows that they took part in these foolish and illegal proceedings, of which the outcome was that tliis man was crucified. It has been made so hot for him that he has been unable to procure employment with the Union Company since.” Judgment for £BS with costs was given for plaintiff against Wright.