WATERFRONT "INCIDENT"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 138, 6 March 1919, Page 7

WATERFRONT "INCIDENT"

_ — trouble oyer' a FIREMAN. Wharf labourers engaged on tho steamer Essex ceased work yesterday afternoon as a protest pgainst ibe action of tho officers of the vessel in handcuffing a fireman named George Almond. The circumstances of the case were narrated to Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court, when Almond laid an information against the captain of the vessel, Richard Williams, and tho chief officer, Alexander M'Lachlan, of having assaulted him. Almond stated that when he went to the captain to have a "straight talk to him regarding tho payment ot same wages, he was put into hamlcults. lie accused the captain and the chief officer of having punched him. He explained that he desired to obtain an advance on his wages for tho purpose of sending money to his wife, and it was for that purpose that he wanted to see the captain. . ~ n _ Another member of the crew, Gns. Tindley, said he saw Almond being put into handcuffs', and he alleged that complainant was struck by the chief officer. Mr. A. W. Blair, who appeared for Captain Williams and Mr. M'Lachlan, said that complainant came aboard the vessel drunk during the dinner hour. When the officers went into their saloon they .found Almond helping himself totheir meal. After a great struggle he was -turned out, and the door was locked. Subsequently he was found outside the captain's cabin, and' on being told -to. go io his own quarters became very abusive. Tho police were sent for, and in the meantime Almond was handcuffed to one of the stanchions to await their arrival. The ivharf labourers then stopped work, but as it was important that the departure of tho vessel should not be delayed on this account, Almond was liberated. Almond then, went ashore, and apparently laid the information of assault. In the course of his evidence the cluet officer denied that he used any unnecessary violence in handenffinp Almond. He did not punch complainant. As a consequence of the wharf labourers knocking off work, Almond was freed from the handcuffs. The captain said that Almond joined tho ship at Townsville, and they had more trouble with him than with all ] llie other men put together. He had certainly nromised to give him some money, but. did not do so on account of Almond's bad conduct. Almond was handcuffed ■ ami the police sent for a* a result of the disturbance he made outside witness s ■ cnbin. "I have been at a sea a considerable time," remarked witness, "and 1 have never punched a fireman yet." His Worship said there was no evidence that anyone struck complainant. The only thing that called for comment was the handcuffiing, which was rather an unwise tiling to do, because it had: a result which anybody miimt have expected—the stoppage of work 011 the part of tho watersiders. . t Both informations of assault were dis- . missed, with £1 2s. costs.