CHARGE OF DESERTING

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1926, Page 4

CHARGE OF DESERTING

ALLEGED CONDITIONS. WELLINGTON, May 21. A sailor’s life on a Welsh millionaire’s yacht, Surprise, now lying in AVellington Harbour, was alleged by Air AV. E. Leicester in the Magistrate’s Court to be far from ideal. AVhile the guests live in a state of some opulence and splendour, the crew have to eat their food from tobacco tins, her declared. The case under discussion was that in which Leslie Thomas Aliddlemiss (24), Stanley Rowdier (34), and Charles Markham (41), all seamen, pleaded guilty to deserting from the Surprise at Picton. “ The case of Rowdier and Markham are more serious because they gave trouble and bad to be dealt with at Aden prior to the ship coining to New Zealand,” said Air R. Kennedy, who prosecuted. “At the time of the desertion the Surprise lay in Picton Harbour, and it was not known by what means these two men got ashore. Aliddlemiss had permission to visit Picton, but had to be back by the next day. They were not arrested until five days later and three days after the ship had left port. Their offence is regarded as of some gravity, because in distant parts they might again desert the ship. Tho owners do not desire again to have on tho ship men who, treated as these men were, desert at foreign ports. No application is made to have them returned to l the ship. Their act is regarded as one I of trcacherv to tlicir fellow seamen and

Ulie master.” 1 Mr Leicester said that the staiitci meats he was going to make were not . directed against the owner of the yacht. “It is a matter of common ; knowledge,” lie continued. “ that the ! people on board live in a state of

splendour and luxury.” Mr Kennedy objected to this statement. “If necessary .1 will bring evidence to refute such a statement,” bo doel a red. UN 15 li Alt Al 5 LIC CONDIT LONS. " Well, apparently, they live in a state ol' some opulence and splendour, and this fact must be considered,” continued counsel. Markham joined the ship under Board of Trade articles, said Mr Leicester. but instead of being paid: overtime was induced to accept 2s Gd a week good conduct money. At Aden a grievance arose and both Bowdier and Markham were logged and fined £l. thus losing eight weeks’ good conduct money. On a second occasion they were again fined £1 and logged. They considered the stale of affairs unbearable and-when they go' to Picton they had a chance of earning £1 a day which they accepted. The work, however, was not forthcoming and all three returned to Picton wharf, where thgy wore working when arrested. ‘‘These men considered that conditions on the ship are unbearable,” said Air Leicester. “At Picton they were working overtime without pay. and with no good conduct money. I am instructed that six of the eight seamen on the . ship are cooped tip in one small room, and they complain that at the present time their food receptacles consist of tobacco tins. Complaints have been of no use. Bowdier, with fourteen years’ experience in the Navy, says the conditions of the seamen are worse than he has ever seen. Middlemiss left ,£-10 on board and it is- unlikely that lie would have left had the conditions been better.” Mr Kennedy said that the ship was registered as At at Lloyd’s. The men had been logged at Aden for refusing orders. t Markham and Bowdier were each sentenced to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour, and Middlemiss to fourteen days’ iniprioomnoiit with hard labour.