CREW LEAVES MAHIA

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1933, Page 4

CREW LEAVES MAHIA

OBJECTION TO BOATSWAIN , STORY OF MAN LOSS OVERBOARD. CREW ALLEGES HE WAS GOADED. THIRTY MEN APPEAR IN COURT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Thirty members of the crew of the Mahia appeared before Mr. E. Page, S.M., this afternoon, nine being charged with wilful disobedience of commands and 21 with being absent without leave. Mr. Leary for the Shaw, Savill Company, outlined the case. When the Mahia was a week off New Zealand, he said, an altercation occurred between-a seaman named Winters and the boats 1 - wain, eventually leading to blows, and blood was drawn on Winters’ face. After they had been separated Winters leapt overboard. JWhen the vessel arrived at New Plymouth an investigation was made and the conclusion was reached that the boatswain was not responsible for Winters’ death. No charge had been brought Since leaving New Plymouth the crew had decided not to work the vessel unless the boatswain was removed. The vessel arrived at Wellington on Friday and on Monday the crew deputationed the captain, who refused their request for the removal of the boatswain. He gave permission, for the men to go ashore and get advice. Subsequently some of the crew refused work ordered by the boatswain. When the ship was taken into the stream seven seamen 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 on to Winters,” calling him terrible names. The boatswain goaded him into striking him. The captain said he thought the boatswain had been condemned unjustly. He thought Winters suffered from mental weakness. Answering Mr. Ongley he said he had a right to transfer the boatswain to another vessel, but he was averse to do this as he had been with him on five deep-sea trips and had found him satisfactory. “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. We had no complaint against the captain.” „ : At the conclusion of the evidence Mr. Ongley for the men said he had nothing to say regarding the merits of the case. The accused were apparently an honest body of men. Believing that the boatswain goaded Winters to his death, they preferred imprisonment or deportation rather than to sail with him. The magistrate said he would give his decision in the morning.

the inquiry was held at New Plymouth last week the only statement made was that the depositions would be forwarded to the Marine Department.