VENGEFUL FIREMAN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9622, 30 March 1917, Page 5

VENGEFUL FIREMAN

\ ATTACKS HIS OFFICER DESERTIONS AND AN AFFRAY IN A BAH. Special to the “Times.” BLUFF, March 29. There has been trouble on a steamer which arrived from Wellington last week. Three firemen absented themselves without leave, and on "Wednesday warrants were issued for their arrest. One (0. McCarthy) was arrested, and another returned to the ship. The third was not apprehended, hut turned up that night at the Club Hotel, where the third engineer of the ship (.Saunders) and two officers entered for refreshment. Before they had obtained their drinks, James Dickson, the missing man, appeared and approached Saunders, saying: “You’re causing all the ’trouble on the ship.” He then hit Saunders on the hack of the neck. .Saunders turned to defend himself, but Dickson kicked him in tlio shins, hnnging him down on the floor, and continued kicking him on the head and face. Saunders was badly injured, and had to have medical attention, tho wounds in his head being stitched. The police were informed, and promptly arrested Dickson. Tho men were before the court this morning, and both pleaded guilty to deserting, McCarthy claiming the right to do so when in a British port, as ho w\as not a deck hand. The chief officer (MeVicar) said ho should apply to tho chief engineer- McCarthy said he might as well apeak to a brick wall. There was a dispute alboard the ship, and lie did not want his brains kicked out. He was not tho only one ashore, and he wanted tho others to get charged. He wms convicted, and fined one day’s wages. An assault charge was preferred against James Dickson, who pleaded guilty. Evidence as to the assault was given by the third engineer (Ernest Saunders) and the first and second officers. Accused cross-examined Saunders, alleging that ho was tho cause of all the trouble on the ship. Ho set up as a fighting man, and struck tho accused first. Accused said ho also was struck hy the second officer, but the latter said ho never had a chance to do so. The chief officer swore that Dickson was not touched, and had no provocation. The defence called Mountain (a fireman), who said ho would tell the truth “so help me, God.” Ho saw Dickson go round Saunders, w'ho kicked him. Witness did not see anything else; his sight was had. Sergeant Brookes, who arrested the men, said Saunders w r as lucky not to lose the sight of one eye. The magistrate said a serious assault had been committed. Accused was convicted and fined £3, with costa 7s, and medical- expenses 10s fid. , The master of the ship wished the men to be kept in safe custody till the vessel was duo to sail, hut the Bench derided it could not order this if the flue was paid.

The accused paid, and went free. There js , a strong opinion here that tho sentence was inadequate in face of the unprovfikcd nature of tho assault.