ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14566, 31 December 1910, Page 8

ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE.

TWO SAILORS IN COURT.

A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT.

[IST TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.

• Wellington, Friday. Following upon the prosecution of George McLeod for desertion from, the steamer Clan Maclaren yesterday, several arrests of seamen, who had loft their vessels without leave, were made, and the alleged offenders appeared before. Dr. McArthur, P.M.. at the Magistrate's Court to-day.

Patrick Regan, an articled eeamap on the Otaki, denied having unlawfully absented himself from the ship without leave. Ho said he was feeling unwell, went to a chemist's shop for medicine, and was back in half an hour. According to the chief officer, however, the man was absent from nine a.m. to 12.45 p.m. on the day in question, and was drunk when he returned. Sub-inspector Norwood asked (hat the accused should be placed on board. The ship was sailing to-day, and there were so many of .these men being left.

The magistrate told the accused that were it not for the fact, that the ship was sailing he (Began) would receive a term of imprisonment. The man was convicted, and ordered to forfeit two days pay, an d defray 7s Court costs, and be placed on board bis ship.

John Nicholson, an articled seaman on the Clan Mclaren, pleaded guilty to a charge of having unlawfully deserted from the ship. Sub-Inspector Norwood eaid that he had been informed by the agents for the vessel that there are always a large number of applicants at the docks in Glasgow for the trip to New Zealand. This man was given preference because he held a certificate in the Royal Naval Reserve. He had signed on as usual for the round trip back to England. His Worship : That is another phase of the matter. Those who arc prepared to carry out their contract are stopped from doing so. The Sub-Inspector : He ha« simply made a convenience of the company to come out here.

His Worship (to the accused) : Have you anything to say? Accused : [ am a member of the Seamen's Union, and I was promised that I could sign off. His. Worship : What? You knew very well you were signing on fov the round voyage. Are you a fool, or do you think I am a fool ? Accused : No. certainly not. ft was stated that Nicholson had been virtually a passenger on the voyage out. The accused was convicted and sentenced to a month's imprisonment with hard labour. AN AGGRIEVED FIREMAN. FOURTEEN DAYS IN GAOL. [Br TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Ddnedin, Friday. William Dowdell, fireman on the steamer Clan Chifiholm, pleaded guilty at Port Chalmers to-day to a charge of being absent from his steamer.

Sergeant Dougan said that the vessel left yesterday evening for Timaru, but before she went away the acciused and mate, both partially intoxicated, were put on board several times by the police. No effort was made by those on board to prevent the accused from leaving the ship after being put on board. The accused evidently had a grievance, which he was told to seek redress for by legal methods. Instead of doing so he insisted on leaving the ship illegally, and' eventually the agent of the ship (Mr. Wood) gave him in charge. The Bench (to accused):' What have you to say ?

Accused: I have a lot to say, I have been told to get out- of the iship on moro than on© occasion by the engineers.

Continuing, the prisoner (said he liacl been practically chased out «of the fillip. He gave no cause for that treatment. The food supplied in the vessel was not fit to •bo eaten. Tike living apartment -was not properly illuminated at night time, and, besides, the ship was short-handed. He and another man had themselves fired her short-hsutded ever since she had been in the colonies.

The presiding justices (Messrs. De Mans and Watson) sentenced the accused to 14 days' imprisonment, but he is to be put on board the vessel if she Bails before the term expires.