NOT “LONGSHORE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 640, 17 April 1929, Page 1

NOT “LONGSHORE”

FIREMAN OBJECTS TO THE DESCRIPTION STOLE FROM SEAMAN “Longshore firemen!” Two unassuming words these, but they are calculated to rouse a protest from any man who has crossed and recrossed the Seven Seas. WILLIAM TURNER, a 31-year-old fireman, of England, was seriously perturbed when he was called “longshore” in the Police Court this morning. He hastened to inform the court that he was anything but “longshore.” Turner showed more agitation when Sub-Inspector McCarthy suggested that he was a fireman who did not go to sea than he did when a charge of stealing a watch, valued at £2, was read against him. Mr. McCarthy said that the owner of the watch, George Adams, was on the coastal steamer Canopus. While Adams was in the galley, Turner, who watch from Adams’s quarters, and went on shore. Later a constable searched Turner, and found the watch. “Turner had no right to be on the Canopus,” Mr. McCarthy said. “As the chief detective says, Turner is a ‘longshore’ fireman, and does not seem to be eager to go to sea.” “I’m no ‘longshore’ fireman!” Turner protested urgently from the dock. “I have been to sea ever since the war. I worked for a long time on the wharves at Whangarei.” Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.: Well, working on the wharves is not going to sea. Turner’s theft brought him a fine of £2. But “longshore’!! No self-respect-ing seaman wants to be called that.