AFFRAY AT SEA

Southland Times, Issue 22012, 11 May 1933, Page 8

AFFRAY AT SEA

MAN LEAPS OVERBOARD ALLEGATION AGAINST BOATSWAIN CREW REFUSE TO WORK (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, May 10. Thirty of the crew of the Mahia appeared before Mr Page this afternoon. Nine were charged with wilful disobedience of command and 21 with being absent without leave. Mr Leary, for the Shaw Savill Company, outlined the case. He said that when the Mahia was a week off New Zealand an altercation occurred between a seaman named Winters and the boatswain, eventually leading to blows. Blood was drawn from Winters’ face. After they were separated Winters leapt overboard. When the vessel arrived at New Plymouth an investigation was. made and the conclusion reached that the boatswain was not responsible for Winters’ death and no charge was brought. Since leaving New Plymouth the crew decided not to work the vessel unless the boatswain was removed. The vessel arrived at Wellington on Friday and on Monday the crew sent a deputation to the captain who refused the request for removal but gave permission to go ashore to get advice. Subsequently some of the crew refused to work when ordered by the boatswain. When the ship was taken into the stream seven seaman and a number of firemen left. Captain Andrews gave evidence on these lines. The accused men in evidence said that from the day they left London the boatswain was getting onto Winters and calling him terrible names. He goaded him into striking him. . “I never refused an order, said one witness, “only from the boatswain. We are all willing to go back provided the boatswain is put out.” He had no complaint against the captain. At the conclusion of the evidence Mr Ongley, for the men, said he had nothing to say on the merits of the case. The accused were apparently an honest body of men, believing the boatswain goaded Winters to death. They preierred imprisonment or deportation, rathei than sail with him. The Magistrate said he would give his decision in the morning.