A MARINER’S CLAIM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2703, 4 March 1924, Page 3

A MARINER’S CLAIM.

FOR WRONGFUL DISMISSAL.

Auckland, March 1.

A claim for £193 damages for alleged wrongful dismissal by George Wigg, master mariner, against the Wellington Steamshp Company Ltd., came before Mr Hunt, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court. It was stated that plaintiff was engaged as master of the steamer Huia, under a writen agreement, whereby he was to receive 21 per cent of the vessel’s net earnings. It was claimed that he had not received anything. The sum of £4 1/- was paid into Court by the defendants as plaintiff’s wages for the time he was engaged before the agreement was entered into. The defence was that the vessel had been run at a loss, and a statement of accounts was produceu to support this. Plaintiff, in giving evidence, admitted he had on occasions left a boy of 18 in charge of the wheel while the ship was at sea. Counsel contended that on account of this and other matters the dismissal was not wrongful. The Magistrate gave judgment for plaintiff for the amount paid in, less £1 minimal damages to which he held plaintiff was not entitled. Costs £l3 16/6 were allowed aganst plaintiff.