BARQUE DAYSPRING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2200, 23 February 1869, Page 2

BARQUE DAYSPRING.

To the Editor of tlie Otaoo Daily Times,

Sm—On the 13th of this month sir of my seamen knocked off duty, and wore brought before tho Port Chalmors Bench, and sentenced to seven days' imprisonment, with hard labour. In the meantime, I bad to employ labour to discharge my ship, which should have been dono by the crow. On tho men being released from gaol, tbey came on board ship, and on being called on to turn to, most persistently refused. The consequenco was they were again brought before the Bench for continued wilful disobedience. My main object in agaiu placing them in durance vile, was to endeavour, if possible, to induce the Bench to aUow me to deduct from tho men's wages the exporsea incurred in hiring substitutes. In tbis, however, 1 was unsuccessful, though tho offence was proved by the Bench ordering the men to be imprisoned, with hard labour, for 12 weeks, the highest punishment allowed. My owners wiU be put to an expense of nearly LSO in my employing labour, and the men, whose only desire was to;leavo the ship, wiU glory in having punished me. I draw attention to these facts in the hope that some remedy may b«r found for the bouefit of futuro ship masters frequenting tho Port.— Yours, kc W. Gilfillan, Master.

Port Chalmers, 22nd February,