A VIOLENT FIREMAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19799, 21 November 1927, Page 11

A VIOLENT FIREMAN.

TROUBLE ON THE MAHIA. SEVERAL OFFICERS ASSAULTED. SIX WEEKS' IMPRISONMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COIRRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Saturday. The sequel to an exciting affair on the Shaw, Savill and Albion steamer Mahia as the vessel was leaving Auckland last Wednesday was a case in the Magistrate's Court to-day, when a fireman,' Charles Henry Bowyer, aged 21, was charged with having assaulted an apprentice, Douglas Campbell, and the second officer of the ship, Frederick Eden. Accused, who was represented by Mr. G. Kent, pleaded guilty to both charges. Mr. H. F. O'Leary, who prosecuted on behalf of the company, ssiid that Bowyor. who was a duly articled seaman, came on board the Mahia just before the vessel left the wharf. He was much the worse for liquor and commenced by using insulting language to all on board. He then apparently ran amok and assaulted in turn tho chief, second, third and fourth officers and anyone else in uniform who wa3 on deck. Bowyer then turned his attention to the chief refrigerating engineer and a cadet. He threw a beer bottle at Campbell, striking him on the knee. He then wrecked the galley and generally caused a great deal of trouble before he was [pacified. "The matter is viewed seriously by the officers of the company," said Mr. O'Leary, "and from the truculent manner in which the man behaved they are afraid that similar trouble will result if he gets on board again. I would ask for a severe penalty." Apparently the authorities did not want the man back on the ship again, said Mr. O'Leary, and he asked that a term of imprisoumemt exceeding onn mouth be imposed, so that Bowyer would not be placed back on the Mahia. A plea for leniency on the ground that Bowyer was too much under the influence of liquor to understand what he was doing was made by Mr. Kent. Apparently tho accused was carried away by his exuberance after a long spell at sea and he was unable to stand as much liquor as his companions. Some months ago he suffered severely from a bout of typhoid fever, which counsel submitted might have been responsible for his irrational behaviour. He did not remember having struck anyone and, in fact, had only a, dim recollection of having rejoined the ship. There was no suggestion of malice, continued Mr. Kent, and the accused was deeply repentant of the offences. He lived in England, and counsel asked that such a penalty might be imposed as would enable him to rejoin the ship and prevent him from being stranded in the Dominion. The Magistrate, Mr. J. H. Salmon: I think that this is a serious matter, involving general assault on several officers, and it is extremely undesirable that this man should remain on the ship. I think, moreover, that this Court should discountenance any defiance of the officers. Accused was convicted on the first charge and sentenced to six weeks* imprisonment and on the second charge he was convicted and discharged. /