SHIP DESERTER GETS CHANCE TO STAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 117, 22 May 1946, Page 3

SHIP DESERTER GETS CHANCE TO STAY

FORFEITS PAY, BUT HAS WANGANUI JOB

“These cases involve the shipping companies in great difficulties, but on the other hand we owe a debt to all seamen who were engaged in the war,” said Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., in the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court yesterday when a young British seaman appeared before him on a charge of desertion. The magistrate said that defendant might prove a good type of immigrant.

Defendant was Douglas Albert Duggan, aged 23, and he pleaded guilty to deserting the Shaw, Saville and Albion Line ship Raranga at New Plymouth on April 12. Sergeant W. Tumulty said that a warrant had been issued for Duggan’s arrest, but he had given himself up to the Wanganui police. Counsel for Duggan, Mr. R. S. Withers, said that defendant had.been in the Merchant Navy for seven years and had served throughout the war. He had spent 14 days in an open boat after one ship he was on had been torpedoed. Another on which he served had been badly bombed.

Mr. Withers said that Duggan had been given overnight leave from the ship in New Plymouth. When he returned to the wharf next morning the ship had sailed. Duggan knew the ship was going to Lyttelton and started off for that nort “He met friends in Wanganui and was offered emnloyment in a furniture factory,” Mr. Withers added. “He has been doing satisfactorily, and his employer is prepared to continue employing him. Defendant had some experience in the furniture trade before going to sea."

Counsel said that Duggan had £lO owing, to him in wages, and there was provision .for this to be forfeited a penalty. Counsel suggested that this should be done in lieu of sending defendant to gaol. A representative of thp shipping company said that desertions from overseas ships in New Zealand waters had become serious, and the company asked for a heavy penalty as a deterrent to others.

The magistrate said he did not wish to send defendant to prison as he had obtained employment. He would be convicted and admitted to probation for six months, and ordered to forfeit the £lO wages due to him from the shipping company.