DESERTION FROM SHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19730, 1 September 1927, Page 13

DESERTION FROM SHIP.

COOK LEAVES THE MATATUA. DESIRE TO STAY IN DUNEDIN. JET/ IBLESEAPH. —OWN COE.E-ESPONDENT. J DUNEDIN, Wednesday. A charge of having absented himself from his ship, the steamer Matatua, without leave, was preferred against James Arthur Skinner in the Magistrate's Court. Chief-Detective Cameron said Skmner signed on the Matatua ify England as second cook for the rounc trip. \> hen the ship was at Auckland, however, he deserted and came to Ditnedm, wheie he had a young iady, and where he ■wanted to stay. Another aspect, however, was the expense the shipping company had incurred in replacing the man. This had to be done at tre New Zealand rate of wages and a return fare. Ihe ship had left for England a fortnight s £°- In answer to the magistrate, bkinner said his wages had been £9 a month. He left £l4 or £ls on the ship. He had been looking for work, but in the meantime had enough money to keep him going. The magistrate said defendant seemed a decent type of young man and no object would be served in sending him to prison, which was the only punishment that could be inflicted. He had suffered a penalty in having to lose his "wages. ' He would be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called Upon within six months.