ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23145, 17 September 1938, Page 24

ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE

SHIP'S BOY FOR SENTENCE FOUND LIVING WITH BROTHER "Please don't order that lie should be sent back Home," was the plea of the brother of Stanley George Robert Southgate. ship's boy, aged 17, charged in the Police Court yesterday with absenting himself without authority from the steamer Kangitane at Auckland on September 1. Accused pleaded guilty. Sub-Inspector Fox said accused was arrested at Otahuhu, where he was living with his brother, who had found him work in a soap factory. He was not regarded as a very satisfactory worker. He apparently left his ship to live in New Zealand, but his duty was on board until he completed the round voyage. The ship would return to Auckland during the week-end and sail about Thursday. Accused's brother said he would guarantee him a home if he were permitted to remain in New Zealand, which he chose in preference to Australia, after making up his mind to desert. Accused said he was one of a family of 11, and he had been the victim of spite at home. He never received pocket money and when he complained his mother told him lie could go to sea. He was afraid of getting a black discharge for desertion if ho were sent back, which might prevent him from getting another vessel. "Your dutv is on your ship, said Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., in remanding accused until Tuesday for sentence.