MALTESE SEAMEN

Hokitika Guardian, 2 September 1930, Page 1

MALTESE SEAMEN

LIVELY DOINGS AT NELSON

WO MEN GAOLED

r ßy Telegraph, Per Press Association. |

NELSON, September 1

An unexpected visit of the Bristol Channel Shipping Coy’s steamer “Lady Lewis,” which put into Port Nelson on Saturday morning, in order to replenish her bunkers, was prolonged until to-day through the conduct of several members ot the crew, and when she resumed Her voyage to Westport this afternoon, she sailed without two Maltese members of the crew. They were sentenced to terms of imprisonment by Mr T. E. iViaunsell, S.M.. Early on Saturday afternoon some members of the crew attracted attention near the Saltwater Bridge when two of them went for a suim along to Auckland Point: After their “dip” they climbed on to the road"way again, and dressed, their clothes having been carried along by tlieir mates.

Later on, there was a disturbance on the boat, the sequel being heard in the Court.. William Burston was the first,to appear, charged with using obscene language, and being found drunk on . the wharf. He pleaded guilty to both charges. In the words of Senior-Sergeant TV. J. Butler, a number of the crew of the Lady Lewis “ran innok” on Saturday afternoon, and this was Burston’s part towards the distui bance. He was fined £2 on the first charge, and was convicted and discharged on the .second. Paul Attard, a Maltese, aged 41, years, was charged with assaulting Edwin Price, second officer of the vessel and also with drunkenness. He pleaded guilty. Charles Gauca, a Maltese fireman, aged 22 years, was also charged with assaulting John Richards, fourth engineer. THE OFFICERS’ VERSION.

Mr C. R. Fell, who appeared for the informant, Gilbert Thomson, Master of the Lady Lewis, explained that Gauca had caused trouble at Auckland, when he attacked the mate, but mo action was taken. On Saturday afternoon the two accused “went ashore, and when they returned to the ship went to the focastle. There they threw things about. They then went atft, and started a “barney” with the skipper. The second mate was nearby, and Gauca attempted to throw him overboard on to the deck of the Waikawa, moored nearby. A tussle ensued the fourth engineer giving assistance to the mate, who was thrown on to ! the deck. Gauca ’(who was very powerful) and Attard had created a state of terror on hoard, and the officers refused to sail with them at the scheduled time. Later, the pair went ashore, again where Attard was arrested for drunkenness. Gauca returned to the ship between six and seven o’clock, and threw the fourth officer from one deck to the other, inflicting injuries which necessitated lus removal to the hospital. If the offenders hai* been Englishmen, the Captain would probably have gone to sea with them, but knowing their nationality, he was not willing to, owing to tactics they might adopt. The Captain, officers and crew did not think it safe to go to sea with the men.

On the Magistrate asking Attnrn if he had anything to say, lm was met with a blank look, hut his partner in the dock, put in a pica that Attard could not speak English. “Yes he can, and ho can understand” intervened the Captain qi tl ,A ship.

The 3Hngist-rote sentenced ' Atfnrd to : two months’ imprisonment, and Gancn to one month on the first and two months on the second charge, the sentence to be cumulative.