CLAIM FOR DAMAGES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 173, 23 June 1926, Page 14

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES.

ACTION BY SHIP'S COOK. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON. Juno 22. A ship’s cook, John James Stuart, who way discharged over a dispute with the firemen about the quality of some milk at Greymouth, claimed £SOO damages and other recompense, making a total of £G67, in the Supreme Court from the Wellington Seamen’s Union and the secretary, Mr Young. The allegation was that defendants illegally conspired and combined with othei-s to induce or compel the shipping company to determine the contract with plaintiff, and further that they incited the crew to take part in an unlawful strike. The defence denied a conspiracy, and said they were not responsible for the plaintiff’s discharge; that the dispute was between the members of the crew-; and that Mr Young was later asked to use his influence to re-open the dispute with the view to the reinstatement of plaintiff, but there was no official connection of the union or the secretary. Mr Mazengarb, for the plaintiff, said ho was the cook-providore of the Tees. A fireman named Graham at Greymouth raised the dispute that the milk had water in it. A disturbance followed in which Graham struck plaintiff. The proceedings for assault against Graham were dismissed and the firemen refused to take the ship to sea if the cook remained on board. A temporary truce was arranged to enable the vessel to proceed to Wellington, the cook proceeding overland. Conferences were held and the captain of the Tees gave notice to Graham, considering him to be the cause of the trouble and refused to sign him on again. The captain was informed by the assistant secretary of the union that no crew could be supplied and the vessel was held up for 14 days. The hearing was adjourned.