A NEW ZEALAND CASE IN A LONDON POLICE COURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7650, 29 May 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

A NEW ZEALAND CASE IN A LONDON POLICE COURT.

William Milltkin-, master of the barque Ada Melmore, now lying in the South-West India Dock, appeared to answer eight summonses, taken out at the instance of four seamen on board the vessel. Tho first four summonses were for refusing to allow tho men to go on shore at Oamaru, New Zealand, to make a complaint to the consular oilicer there ; and tho other four sum mouses werefor wages duo. It appeared that in July last the men shipped on board the Ada Melmore, and eignod articles to sail to New Zealand and back at a rate of £2 loss each per month. Tho articles showed that live men should bo on board the barque, which wa3 of 550 tons burden. Whim at Gravescnd the Board of Trade officer considered they should have six men ou board, and another ono was shipped. When eastward of the Cape they eucountered a terrilie storm, during which two of the crew were killed. Tho ship was then navigated to Auckland by four men, but while here two men deserted, After some days two more were engaged, At Oauiaru one of tho crew fell ill, ami ho had to be sent to the hospital. That left only three, out of which one met with an accident, and ho was disabled from doing his duty. On the 2-lth December one man was shipped on board. As the ship was undermanned tho men complained to the captain, and expressed a wish to go on shore to see tho magistrate. The defendant said they might go, but when ho was staked to pay their means to do so refused. Thoy al;o asked him to hoist the police flag, but he refused. They then refused to do any more work until they were sent on shore. After that they were kept without food for 50 hours. Tho defendant afterwards agreed to work the vessel back to England with only four men, who wen; to have an extra i'S oer month divided between them. The four sailors then worked the ship home, the vessel arriving in London safely, Mr, Lusbingtou did not think the captain was bound to allow the men to go on shore, and those summonses would be dismissed. A

regards those for wages, the men w :rc paid according to the articles thoy signed, aad if they wished to recover ou the ono they would hiivc to recover through the medium of another Court. Thoso summonses would also bo dismissed,without costs.