SEAMEN IN DOCK

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 511, 14 November 1928, Page 13

SEAMEN IN DOCK

WILFULLY DISOBEYED ORDER FIFTEEN PLEAD GUILTY Eight sailors and seven firemen lined up at the Police Court yesterday to answer a charge of wilfully disobeying a lawful order given by the master of the Port Darwin on November 10, when the ship was between New Plymouth and Auckland. The men’s names were:—E. Smith, B. Woodend, H. Griffin, F. L. Sharpe, I. Waters, J. MacEae, H. Reid, D. MacLeod, T. Merner, O. Hughes, W. Fittock, F. Peters, A. Butcher, F. Harvey and J. O’Neill. Mr. R. McVeagh appeared for the Shipipng Company, and Mr. T. V. Holmden lor the defendants. The story, as told by Mr. McVeagh. was that, on the way from Timaru to New Plymouth, coal in the fore bunker had become heated. The waterside workers had refused to shift it, and when the .ship went to sea, the firemen and sailors also refused the duty, making it necessary for the officers and apprentices to do the work. Mr McVeagh believed that coercion had been brought to bear on the sailors As the ship was sailing to-morrow counsel asked that the men should not be imprisoned. Mr. Holmden said that the affair originated some months ago. The chief engineer had promised the men that the order would not be given. However, he could do nothing but plead guilty. “If there is one thing to be strictly observed, it is the order of officers on ships at sea.” remarked Mr. F. K. Hunt. S.M., as he fined the trimmer two days’ pay and the sailors one day. “I refuse that” interjected one trimmer, but he was suppressed and further interruptions from the back of the Court were speedily quelled by the orderly.