IMPORTANT TO SEAMEN.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2642, 26 September 1882, Page 4

IMPORTANT TO SEAMEN.

L?E3S3 ASSOCIATION TILBGBAM.f AUCKLAND, September 25. An important case came on for hearing at the Police Court, effecting the intereiti of shipowner* and the rights of seamen, Henry Archibald vraa charged with a breach of the Shipping and Seamen* Act by wilfully die* obeying the lawful commands on board the chip Ada O. Owen, on the 21st. MrT. Cooper appeared for the precaution, and Mr E. Cooper for the defence. The case wa* tried before Mr McDonald, B M , and Mr H. M. Jervis, J,P, Mr T. Cooper opened the case, and said hn would call the captain to elate the particulars. The men had refused to work in the hour of peril, except on the promise of extra pay. The surrounding circumstances showed that the real object of the men in refusing to work ws» the extorting of money. Mr E. Cooper aaid the defence was the men had been working in the Duller river in getting up hedge for twenty-six hours, and their clothes were wet, and exhausted nature could not further go. His Worship said according to the evidence the act of disobeying was clear, and the woik necessary for the safety of tho ship. Mr T. Cooper said it was work of necessity, and the captain was compelled to get the ship from shore. Captain Bogers, master of tho ship, deposed that on August 19th his ship went ashore at tho Bnller river, on the West Coast. They wore laden with coal. The men, Archibald being spokesman, demanded more pay ' or they would not work. Ho signalled for help from the shore. He then signed on agreement, and the men went to work. They underwent no physical hardship. To Mr B. Cooper—When he signed the promise they turned to at once. Edward Curie, mate of tho vessel, corroborated the evidence, and said that ho gave orders to the man to work. They said they would not work unless they got the same wages as the man on chore. The commander agreed to give it, and they went to work. They had been working a considerable time in the water. The Court said some evidence might be given on the men's side. Samuel Bogers, seaman, said they had a heavy time of it from Saturday morning until the following Sunday. They stuck on a beach, and they were working continuously with tho exception of two hours’ rest, but no sleep. The captain and mate took their sleep. To Mr Cooper—They had some hoars' rest in the water, bat could not sleep. The forecastle woe flooded. The Court considered that the

ship and valuable property were at stake, and the men, who had their interval of rest, took advantage of the situation, and forced Captain Rogers to an agreement for five shillings a:, hour in a time of peril. The Court found the defendant guilty of the charge, and sentenced him to seven daye’ imprisonment. It is the intention of the owners to prosecute the rest of the crew.