DESERTION FROM SHIP

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1930, Page 2

DESERTION FROM SHIP

A SERIOUS OFFENCE,

WELLINGTON, Jan. 18

The inconvenience and often expense to which a shipping company is put in the .case of desertions .were emphasised by Mr Prince in the Magistrate's Court to-day when ! appearing for the Shavyy.Savill and Albion Company in connection with a' charge agai list Fetch Cunningham, aged 32, of desertion from the overseas steamer Raranga. ilast year. Cunningham was also charged with having unlawfully landed in New Zealand, being a prohibited immigrant. ■ Tho Collector of Customs said that. Cunningham was, before the Court a fortnight ago when he was remanded for a medical examination. A report had now been received that he was free from the disease from which he had been suffering and as the Customs authorities had no objection to him remaining in New, Zealand, he asked that the charge of being a prohibited immigrant be withdrawn. The course was agreed to.

With, regard to the charge of desertion, Mr Prince said that Cunningham had nut the Company to considerable trouble and it had also had to enter into a bond of £IOO in respect to him. “We look, upon desertions at anv time as a serious offence,” added Air Prince, “but especially during the rush season when we are tied down to time to get the ships away and the man who holds up a ship for a day costs the company £350. In the case of Cunningham, I would like th'i. +b n full penalty he extended.” Mr T. B. Al’Neil: vS.AL. imnosed a sentence of one month’s imprisonment.