A CREW'S WAGES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 635, 12 October 1909, Page 5

A CREW'S WAGES.

'i'HE TROUBLE ON. THE WAITEMATA.

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES. . . lE* TclccraDh.-Prqjj Aisoclatlon.i :•" '• ~ Chrlstchurch, October 11. The legality of tho action of the Union Steam Skip: Company in dismissing members of the crew from the Waitoinata at Newcastle because, of their refusal to accept a lower rate of wages for the. voyage from Newcastle to Manila occupied,at tho attention of Mr. W. R. Kaselden, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court this morning. ' : . ■ - ' David Lindsay Maxwell, seaman, of Lyttelton, claimed ,£25 from the Union Company for damages sustained by him by reason of defendants dismissing him from th 6 service of the Waitemata during the continuance of the voyage, for which dpfondant had been engaged. Sir. Stringer, K.C., appeared for the , plaintiff, and Mr. Beswick for the defendant company. It appeared f rdm the statement of claim that mombers of the crew had signed articles at Lytteltqn on May 31 prior to embarking ,in tho Waitemata.. A clause in those articles provided that the men were employed from Lyttelton to any port or ports in the Australasian colonies, or any'island or islands in ■ the North or South Pacific. The duration of the agreement was six calendar months, or 'until tho'arrival of the vessel at Lyttolton after the expiration of that term. When the j vessel was at Newcastle, the men were given the option of'accepting.a lower rate of wages for tne voyage to Manila, or accepting dismissal. They were legally advised that they wore justified in holding the master of tho vessel to the contract, bat they were subsequently put. off the vessel bythe police. ; Mr.. Besvrick made an application for,'tho :case* to-be moved into the Supreme Court : ; Mr. Stringer said that he had no objection, for the case would probably go to appeal if it were heard ...in the Magistrate's Courf. The magistrate, as. there was no sitting of the Supreme Court in Ohristchurch at present said he would adjourn tho case for & week in order to give counsel an opportunity to bring the matter before Wβ Honour. •. ■ .