THE “SUPPLYING” OF SEAMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4291, 26 February 1901, Page 2

THE “SUPPLYING” OF SEAMEN

■—- William Jones, secretary of (ho Wellington branch of tho Seamen’s Union of New Zealand, was charged at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, before Dr McArthur, S.M., that ho, bating an unauthorised person, did supply a seaman named John Owens to be entered on board the steamship Oroti. A second information was in terms of tho foregoing, savo that the word “engage’’ was substituted for that of “supply-” „

Mr Gray appeared for the prosecution and Mr Hindmarsh for the defence.

George A. D. Alexander, a fireman on the Rotomahana, said he knew a trimmer named Owens, who worked on the same vessel. Witness remembered the defendant Jones coming on board one day in December last and talking to Owens. The latter left the ship that day. Witness did not hoar tho words cf the conversation.

John Owens, a fireman on the steamer Oreti, said he had been engaged on the Oreti as a fireman, but had now left the vessel. He was told of the job by the defendant Jones, who asketel him if he would take it. Jones did not mention the wages. They were actually £4. a month more than witness had been getting as trimmer on the Rctomahana. When he heard of the job ho went to the authorities of the Rotomahana and asked for an immediate discharge, which was granted. Ordinarily twentyfour hours’ notice was required. To Mr Hindmarsh: Did not regard the action as crimping. Thought Jones was doing him a good turn. When he went to the boat he saw the cook first, and after that the first engineer of the Oreti. The latter asked him a few particulars, and then engaged him. Believed he got the job because lie was the first man there; had another been first he would probably have got thel job.

Geoj-go Gordon Smith, master of mercantile marine, deposed that, the defendant had no status to supply men to vessels. At present there was no authorised person iu Wellington to supply seamen but witness. Cross-examined: Could not remember the date of the offence. Witness was instructed to prosecute in this case by the Marine Department. Would not like to pass his opinion whether or not the present case was a trumpery one. Did not know that a person named Young was working up the case against Jones. His Worship held that there had been no evidence adduced that the defendant had engaged to supply a fireman as alleged in the information. He was simply in the position of having told the man Owens that there was a vancanoy on board the Oreti. The case would he dismissed. Mr Hindmarsh asked for costs, but Mr Gray demurred, and his Worship disallowed the application.