SEAMAN SENT TO PRISON

Southland Times, Issue 23610, 10 September 1938, Page 18

SEAMAN SENT TO PRISON

REFUSAL TO WORK TO REFUND FINE (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, September 9. Because he refused to work on his ship the City of Pittsburg after being fined £lO on Thursday for assaulting the chief steward by throwing a plate of stew over him, John Alfred Rice, quartermaster, aged 38, was again brought before the Magistrate’s Court today. Sergeant Tocker said the shipping company paid the fine and the accused would be required to work it off. However, he refused to work and the company had no alternative but to take measures to right the matter. The accused said he wanted to leave the ship. There had been trouble right through the present voyage and he was afraid there might be more if he stayed. He realized that he might be sent to gaol but this, he added, would allow him to get clear of the ship. Captain Butler, master of the ship, said he would be glad to keep the accused if he would work, but he was too stubborn to do anything and it was not now desirable that he should return. The only trouble on the ship was caused by the accused himself. “At sea we have our own method of dealing with men who refuse to work,” added Captain Butler. “He must work or starve. It would be impossible to follow this practice while the ship is trading round the coast.” The Magistrate (Mr W. R. McKean) said it seemed a pity that the accused could not have made up his quarrel with the chief steward. He would be better off working on his ship than in prison, but he seemed to have made his own choice. The accused was sentenced to 21 days’ imprisonment, the Magistrate adding that arrangements would be made to send him to England on a lotor shin as offered bv fho comnany.