THE ASTRACANA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12693, 22 October 1904, Page 4

THE ASTRACANA.

'.T-—— * (^J SEVEN:MEN FINED £2 EACH FOR ,; .1 "' : IUIKUSING DUTST. • '■ I ■■■ '•. : . <■■"-.'' "'''■'' ' ■■■• < The Astracana'/ seamen who were ordered aboard the vessel a few days ago carried out ; their threat; that they'woi; Id not work, aboard ' her, aiidvtbsy; were in consequence brought before Mw.E S. Wardell„ S.M., again at. , the Police Court yesterday. The accused,, numbering seven, were all charged with combining amongst themselves to' disobey tit lawful commands of the captain. < \ Mr. Martin, on behalf of the accused, '. , pleaded guiltyMr. Campbell, for the pioseciitioc, said . that the proceedings were laid under that J section of the Act of 1894- which involved 4 ■ J maximum penalty of twelve weeks' imprison- 1 merit and the forfeiture of all wages. Hi* , Worship would remember that the Fame men were ordered aboard a few days *go. Since .;; : then.they had absolutely , refused to do $p work thev were ordered to. Their evideat , intention was simply ■to force the hand of the captain, and make him dispense ? wf&j|j|; their services, that they'might got employment at higher wages elsewhere. Mr. Martin said "there was something tc | be said on the men's side. Since .-they were »;| ordered aboard last week they had demanded -. a survey of the ship, as they said she was ' 1 unseaworthy. The Marine Depaitaent, in 1 acceding to their request, sent two snrveyo|l|||U down to examine her, and their report w*gs|S now being considered by the Minister Jors|j| Marine in;. Wellington, the vessel being <$*• tained meanwhile. He understood that?s*s|p report was of a' condemnatory nature!.'-. B»* was why the men refused duty. . The Magistrate: Of course, that has nothing to do with the present c'jargr. VniA she is found unseaworthy she is worthy- h Mr. Martin: I can call one of the surveyors. , who can give an account of the condition tk* - | shin is in. j Mr., Campbell: That has nothing whatever to do with it. The men in refusing duly,." . offered every insult to the captain tbey could. I have a copy of the su»- ',?i* *\ ';'\ port, which says that the mew tvvtn? «*:' insulting to them. Certain repass h&vft W" . recommended, and these will be c~r-!?i> oci Mr. Campbell read some of the cki:s^i, ; Mr. Martin, or» glancing over t'«« f(, S%»S produced by Mr. Campbell, drew ntlwlto' to tho fact that the surveyors had i-evfcoft- } that several of the beamis were b'>"*'o*j{ If tween decks and fore and 1 ah, Oi "■'• '■■'■" '. spars was rotten. These facts, the & • ' said, justified them in coming to th* «*-" \ i.' t elusion that the vessel was nnsc*" % " within the meaning of the term. . \ ■ ■■-' The Magistrate: What wages t-^ d»s o these men? . . .JwtSJfF The captain said . that £4 was due tc t><)M accused Iversen, £20 to Pitt, £15 to W.Niceiaesen, £14 to Daffinger, £7 to Blanquert,£1+ to Pires, and £13 to Lie. . The Magistrate then imposed fines of £*- each and costs. - . ■-', I * " Well, I'm not going to do an.? more work," said Iversen, rather defiantly, nd , the Magistrate fined him the £4 due to hifflMr. Campbell, however, interceded, and th« penalty against Iversen was reduced to $** • original sum. .'■ ■ , ' . ~- _ The report of Captain W. D. Reid. ; ?«^|j|t perintendent of marine, and Mr, H Wether- , , ilt, Government inspector of machinery, who N wove appointed by : the Minister for Marine to hold a survey on the ship : is to the eff«f* , r that- a number of the beams wore broke* ~ and some others started. The miit£e» to -"* gallantmaat was reported unsafe snd **■'" condemned. Acting under the instructions of the surveyors the necessary repairs are . being carried out, and it is expected. tfca' | the ship will resume hei 'soyagu to PelaS 0 * ' ■'| about Tuesday next < r i