CLOTHES IN THE SEA

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17178, 23 October 1923, Page 1

CLOTHES IN THE SEA

WAY OF GETTING EVEN. A FIREMAN’S REVENGE. The methods adopted by some unionists on ships in “ getting even 33 with fellow workers suspected of being “ scabs 33 were related in the Lyttelton -Magistrate's Court to-day. William Melton, a single man. twenty-six years of age, was charged with stealing at Wellington, on October 20, clothes to the value of £o, the property of George Dyke. Sergeant J. W. M’Holm said that Melton was a fireman on the Mararoa. On Saturday evening, at Wellington,

ne came aboard, and he accused George Dike, a butcher, of being a “scab. 33 He demanded to see Dyke’s papers. Dyke then told Melton it was no business of his. Melton then said : “ X will find them and see if you are a scab, you Dyke later found his bed upset and his clothes missing. “ It is a common practice among these men who think a man is a * scab, 3 to toss his things overboard,' 3 stated the Sergeant. “ There is a good bit of it going on. 33 Dyke had his naval discharges in one of the pockets, and they had now been lost. Dyke had as much right to be on the ship as Melton had. Sergeant M’.’Holm handed up a lengthy list of previous convictions against Melton for drunkenness and obscene language. Mr W. I'. Lester. J.P. (who presided with Mr F. Knights, J.P.) asked if Melton was still employed on the vessel. Sergeant M’Holm: Yes. But T think ha will lose his job. “ I was under the influence of drink. T have never done this before, 33 declared the accused. Sergeant M’Holm interposed that that night another man had also lost his belongings. Continuing. Melton said that he did not remember doing anything. Tf he had called the man a “ scab 33 he would have apologised. “ What right have you to call a man a ‘scab?’ You with all these convictions !’’ asked Mr Lester, after he bad perused the lengthy list. “None.’’ replied the accused. He was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour.