SEAMAN STABBED

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1928, Page 1

SEAMAN STABBED

LASCAR IN LEG-IRON

TROUBLE ON BRITISH STEAMER. AUCKLAND, April 18. Held captive by means of a length of wire cable and a heavy iron ring about his ankle, a swarthy Lascar on the British steamer Newby Hall, which berthed at Primes Wharf yesterday, went sullenly about his work to-day. There was more than one pair of curious eyes, tlu* possessors of which had heard strange rumours concerning the shackled deck band, that eagerly scanned the ship from stem to stern, but the captive was not to he seen.

One of several curious visitors to the steamer this morning endeavoured to elicit a few facts about the case from one of the junior officers, but the latter bad nothing to say. He could neither confirm nor deny anything, but recommended the enquirer to the “old man.” The Lascars working about the shin, some dabbing paint and others preparing the midday meal, were oven more reticent. They either could not or would not talk, and their dark eyes conveyed nothing. Enquiries among the waterside workers employed on the vessel, however, were rather more successful, although few of these men bad any very definite information.

For the purpose of the story, which concerns several of a numlier of Lascars employed on the steamer. i( is best, that- the prisoner he given a name ami Ali will probably suit him as well a.s any other. Ali. it is alleged, quarrelled violently with one of his follow stokehold hands during the steamer’s voyage Imm New York to Auckland, and one day (or night), when the vessel was making her steady ten or so knots down the Pacific. the aggrieved native savagely ntiacked his shipmate, presumably with a sharp knife. Tt is understood that Ali’s attack resulted in his victim spending more than one day in his hunk, with an ugly slash across his stomach.

Ali. thus having proved himself a very dangerous individual, was. it is understood, promptly seized, relieved of hi- knife, and so put away that there wa.s no danger of him attempting another act of the kind. It is presumed that the prisoner was brought before the master (('apt. R. C. Zeal), and charged, but definite in.forniat ion on tlii- point is lacking. It is also uncertain whether Ali continued to work about the ship for the remainder of flic. Newby Hall’s passage or brooded over Ids plight within tin' confines of a locked cabin. The victim of the attack, it is said, made a fairly quick recovery, and is now going about his regular duties. Such is the story, it is understood, to account for Ali’s appearance in a k'g-iro'ii yesterday. The waters filers who saw him about the iron decks of the ship say that the wire attached to the man’s ankle iron was fastened to a stanchion by means of a padlock. Thus, although prevented from again running wild, or if he desired, from leaping to the wharf and escaping to the

city, the Lascar was able to make himself useful, but Ali rather naturally objected, it is said, to being subieefed to the curious gaze of the watcrsidei's and anyone who chanced to lie passing along the wharf, and declined to work. As a result, it is further alleged. he was put in irons and taken below dock.

Captain Zeal, when approached this morning, declined to make any statement. “T have not made any charge to the civil authorities against the man. and it is simply a mailer of ship discipline.” lie said.

Tt is understood that the captive Lascar may he charged before a Court in lifs own land when the steamer, n unit of the Ellcrm N. Hall Line, at present under charter to the A. and A. Lino, returns to those parts.