FIREMAN IMPRISONED

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10288, 24 May 1919, Page 7

FIREMAN IMPRISONED

DISOBEYS OFFICER'S -OKlJii'K&

AND CAUSES MAORI TO ±»i% : DELAYEU. •::"' •'

Press Afisocfatlnn. „„, „' otr n> r p CHRISTOHUROII, May a?. „ At tho Lyttelton Magistrate's, Court... Christopher Seddou,- fireman- engaged on the Maori, was charged with continuously disobeying the lawful corn-, mands of the vessel's chief officer ,an r "a' voyago between Wellington ton.- Seddon pleaded.^n.o.t..guilty. Evidence was given that accused went on duty, and after taking the-firs;-and putting two shovelfuls of coal in the furnace ceased work, subsequently informing the chief .engineer. r-th»t. lie. would do no more Wort and giving no reason for his action. As a result it was found necessary to continue the voyage under reduced Accused stated that he had'burnt his leg, hence his refusal to w0rk.,,.., „■.., i.S' The magistrate said that. thig.tf«s a serious broach of the'Shipping- and Seamen's Act in that this course of conduct carried a little further might under certain circumstances cause, a tremendous loss of life." Accused n "plea regarding tho accident ;to, .his.. legs. wa» clearly an after-thought ..and would receive no consideration. The maximum penalty for this' class of offence, twelve weeks' imprisonment," would boimposed, < tw-. -r -"