SEAMAN WITH KNIFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19808, 1 December 1927, Page 14

SEAMAN WITH KNIFE.

INCIDENT ON THE TOFUA„ CHIEF ENGINEER ATTACKED. The drinking of too much native "firewater" at Apia before he was cirri eel aboard the Tofua, was given as an excuse, for Arthur Hopper, aged 23, seaman, who pleaded guilty in the Police Court yesterday to a charge of assaulting W. W. Haughton, chief engineer, when the ship was on the high seas. It was stated that while in the engineroom accused struck the chief engineer. He was in such a state that he iiad to be taken from the scene by force. Later he obtained a knife and, hiding near the chief engineer's cabin, waited .for his coming. The second engineer just succeeded in preventing him from using it. "Accused was drunk/'* said Mr e A. Moody. "He had been drinking much 'firewater.' or native-brewed liquor, and was carried on board the Tofua' before she cleared Apia. He joined the navy as a boy and fought with it through the war. I suggest he should be given a chance and that the ends of justice will be amply met if he is fined." Mr. W. R. McsKean, S.M.: It is a serious offence, but I will take into consideration the fact that he drank native liquor. He will be fined £5.