Refused to Obey Orders

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 180, 2 August 1938, Page 7

Refused to Obey Orders

SHIP’S ENGINEER SENT TO PRISON Par Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. An engineer’s refusal to obey orders on board ship waa described in the Police Court when Edward George Pitney, fourth engineer in the AJbyn Line steamer Thistlegarth, at present berthed at Chelsea, appeared on a summons before Mr. C. It. Orr Walker, &M., in the Police Court in answer tc charges of wilful neglect of duty and of disobedience to orders between June 1 and July 2. Mr. Cocker prosecuted on behalf of the company and Mr. Bryce Hart appeared for accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charges. After evidence had been heard, however, the plea was withdrawn in favour of a plea of guilty. Mr. Cocker said accused sailed as fourth engineer in the Thistlegarth when she left Cardiff on February 8. Trouble arose toward the end of April because he had refused to do duty apart from his watches in the engine room. On April 27 he had suffered accident to his hand, which was sufficient to prevent him from working for a short period. “When the ship was in port at Java toward the end of May,” Mr. Cocker continued, “the captain had accused examined by a doctor, who certified him 75 per cent, fit for light work. Accused, however, objected to obeying orders, and on July I he refused point blank to do any work at all. He has since done nothing on the ship.” As the Thistlegarth was not scheduled to reach England before the end of November, Mr. Cocker submitted that it would be inimical to discipline and to organisation if accused was permitted to remain in tho ship. The company was prepared to pay all expenses involved in sending accused back to England if the Magistrate would grant a cancellation of accused’s articles. „

Evidence that accused had acted in the manner described by Mr. Cocker was given by William Staveley, master of the Thistlegarth. Not only had accused refused to obey orders, witness said, but he had fraternised with the seamen in a manner unbecoming to an cfficer.

After further evidence had been given by tho Chief Engineer in ship, Mr. Hart said accused desired to plead guilty to the charges. “He has been at sea for over two years,” said Mr. Hart, “and has excellent credentials. His extraordinary case arid his actions must have arisen from his state of mind caused by the accident he suffered.” Stating that he could not sco why accused should not have shown some desire to do light work in the ship after he had recovered from his injury, the Magistrate said accused 'a actions had been contrary to all rules of discipline. Accused was sentenced to a month’s imprisonment and his articles wrere cancelled. The Magistrate ordered him to be released when arrangements had been made by the Superintendent of Marine to repatriate him to a suitable port in Sunderland, England.