LYTTELTON.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14972, 20 May 1914, Page 4

LYTTELTON.

(Before Messrs C. Ferrier and J. Garrard, J.P. s. > A QUESTION OF SICKNESS. Albert Charles Martin, a fireman on the 5.5. Norfolk. pleaded not, amity to a charge of hanng, pn May IBth at Lyttelwn, wilfully diaobevod thr- orders of A. L. IJusbee, roaster." Captain Hughos, ma-ster «n the Norfolk, stated that ou arrival at Brisbane, Martin who complauied cf being in jjq.

health, was examined by a medical mail, who stated that there wag notbiixg the matter wjtb him. Martin, however, although ho went ashore every d.ay, complained of being unwell, and was again examined on arrival at £vdney. On tbe voyage from Australia to New Zealand Martin was examined dy tbo ship's doctor, who said that the rireman was fjujte fit to carry out his duties. Dr, >"eweU, at Lyttelton, also gave a certificate to that effect.

Dr. ioge, tnc ship's surgeon. said that he examined Martin two days out rrom Sydney, on account ot his piaining of a gastric .stomach- After being treated, Martin still complained ot pains, although tritriess could not find any reason for such. Witness sub. seqticntly told Martin that there was noth'ng the matter with him, aud that, as there was no reason why he should not do work, he neoxJ not wast© any more of witness's time by asking to be treated.

Accused said that he was in good health until off Thursday Island, when he became ill in the stokehold, and was stvzcd with vomiting. Ho wont to the hospital at Brisbane, and was ordered to come back on the Monday, but as the Norfolk was to sail that" day, the captain refused to lot him off. Tho captain had arranged for witness to go Home in the Wiltshire, another fireman from which vessel was to take his place on the Xorfo'k. these arwfremonts bo'iiß subsequently cancelled. Witness bad not been ordered to turn to at Lytto'ton. and had not refused duty on hicrh ncas, althouc'i ho t-nlci ttio officer that ho was unable to do the work in the stokehold.

When Martin had concluded his statement, an application was nut in hv Onta n H't" r, *f > s. pravinc that as tho former I , ad been re»rf<n>*t.pd an n p-al : nsre-T. t**e. *p*"em«»nf b'twei Hm nnd tho Company bo re'cind«»d as from M«iv 12th. tW NVvfolk was r>+ Wait•»*■«. Ontsin Hue: 1, © , ! also asked Martin's pay cense from .April 12**.

The B-M^e , ! ; d th»t nf+or r?v : ewhi(r 4>6 cJ r onT>«f-.r»»»<»n<i. *!>ev come to F*n concl"sion t'-<n t it would h« advisable to resell t.'ie contract, they "•oiil-- , W : tH »t»er»rd to tho Q'ipstion of wns'ps, +''f-v wf-c rf fl'p that ; n Vnd been ill. I>»+ w»s finite well rtovr. vonVl {hot his wages cense as from the 12th iast.