UNLICENSED ALIENS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 7

UNLICENSED ALIENS.

UNLOADING COAL AT LYTTELTON. CHRISTCHURCH, January 9. A case of interest to employers of casual labour was heard in the Lyttelton Magistrate's Court this morning*, Mr Bailey, S.M. Algot Forsberg and Walter Dixon were charged that, being unlicensed aliens, they wero engaged in the work of unloading coal from the steamer Ngatoro, contrary to clause 3 of tho War Regulations of October 10, .1917. Both pleaded "Guilty." Senior Sergeant Jackson stated that the two men were members of an overseas British ship which had met with a mishap in New Zealand waters. They were without permits, and "when approached by the Blackball Company they assisted to unload the coal.

Both men —-one an American and tho other a Swede —stated that they had no idea they were committing a breach of the War Regulations in giving their services for a hall-day when labour was scarce.

Mr Bailey, in fining each man 10s, said tho case did not call for a heavy fine, as the circumstances in which the men were placed were of a peculiar character. Georgo Madden, a servant-of the Blackball Coal Company, pleaded "Guilty" to a charge of employing the men, and Arnaud A.. M'Kellnr, manager of tho company, also pleaded "Guilty" to a similar charge. Mr MTvellar said the coal was urgently wanted for meat companies. In fining the manager 10s,' Mr* Bailey said it was only a nmall breach of the regulations.