Squabble at sea.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1922, Page 1

Squabble at sea.

CAPTAIN AND SEAMEN

UTHTUALIAN AND N.Z. CABI.E ASSOC lATION,

LONDON, March 31

Captain Avern, master of the 'Australian steamer Moret.on Bay, was charged at Bond Street with assaultin" one Burns, a member of the ship’s replaced British dew. Burns alleged that Captain Avern called him to his cabin and accused him of causing trouble and then assaulted him. Burns also said he was later imprisoned, but he escaped. He alleged that Captain Avern, armed with a revolver and accompanied hy officers violently iearrested him, bound him with ropes, and confined him in the hold under the isolation hospital.

Captain Avern stated the passengers complained of th 6 British crew’s conduct on the ship. He stated Burns adopted a threatening attitude, and he had struck Burns, because the latter had threatened to strike him. The master of thg Moreton Bay, Captain Avern, continued that Bums had to be roped when he was rearrested, because 'he kicked and bit. He (Avern) had acted throughout in the interests of the passengers and of the maintenance of discipline. The Magistrate said the whole question was whether overmuch violence was used in r earresting Burns. There wer e some reasons for regarding the latter as dangerous. The case was dismiss^.