A STOKEHOLD DESERTER

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2714, 8 March 1916, Page 6

A STOKEHOLD DESERTER

POINT FOB-LEGAL'GONTENTION,-By Telegraph—Press Association. : Auckland, March 7. The desertion/.'of. a . : .'.fireman,,.. :. John. jKoill, from Auckland, -was.the subjeciof • legal argu- ; i nent in the- '--on-! Saturday lasVon'' , charge -of, 3esertion, ivaOentencoJ ;to twenty-one days' imprisonment. The Aucklftnd | branch of the; Seamen's Union discovered a legal-flaw'in the oase for the prosecution, and 'Mr.' Skelton applied for.'.a:.rehearingj which.';,was. .granted-. It;was; stated- that- Neill' joinedvthe. steamer at Duhedin._ In the dase.of a man joining in New'; Zealand .and...deserting, in,' New Zealahd,"the. Legislature provided ;that his wages could-bo forfeited and his- discharge impounded' by the ' Superintendent of Marine. Neill desertcdi because of the alleged lack of sanitary conveniences and accommodation for firemen on the Victoria. ■-■!■■■ -- Bio Magistrate' (Mr.--Frazer) said th'aj Victoria had been trading' in New Zealand waters for twelve years. Any man joining her would know any defects on lier. He was not concerned with this complaint. The Seamen's T : nion could take action on tho lines laid l down by the*.statute. No man hud the.right, to leave his ship; Tliarejvas a soarcity-of seamen, a, serious' offcnco. It was only right that accused Kliould bo given some compensation for iho two days ho had spent in unwilling seclusion, and he would take this into consideration when fixing the penalty. 'Accused would be -convicted and discharged. "