SEVEN MEN GAOLED FOR DESERTING SHIP

Chronicle (Levin), 28 March 1947, Page 3

SEVEN MEN GAOLED FOR DESERTING SHIP

t-Press i Associatibn

Bv . Telegraptb-

r ' AUCKLAND! - 'fAs' the hHippiiig rdpreseptative.said, these l'neii come here witli the dcliberate iiitentioii of descrting and some ofLhem afe tiot of a desifable type," said Mr. J. Morling, S.'M., wlieii setem mea appcared before him charged with desertiag their ship at Auckland. Frcderick James Stone, aged 24, Clifford Blackford, aged 20, Kenneth Parke.r Fothergill, aged 21, Iveith Joncs, aged 21, Peter Jolin Harbon, aged 20, and Tanley Haroid Tlionias, aged 27, alJ stewards, pleaded guilty to deserting the liner Largs Bay. Jack Eobinson, steward, aged 24, of the liner Rangitihi, also pleaded guilty to deserting. Sub-luspector Daly said all the inen had obtained work in New Zealand. The shipping company representative said the mcn from the Largs Bay were some of over 20 wlio deserted the ship the night before she sailed. Passengers lia'd been ernbarking and the men had to be replaced by New Zealanders who would have to be repatriated. Blackford and Fothergill had given a lot of trouble wliilc the ship was in New Zealand and they seenied to defy authority. It was apparent that the inen joined the ship in England with the dcliberate intention of deserting when tlicy arrived in New Zealand. All accused told the Magistrate they were working and were not willing to return to England. Fothergill and Blackford said they wished to enlist in the J Force. "You will not be acceptcd because of your beliaviour, " the Magistrate remarked. Each accused was senten'ced to one tnonth's tiinprisonment.