ILLEGAL BOARDING OF SHIP

Southland Times, Issue 24229, 12 September 1940, Page 9

ILLEGAL BOARDING OF SHIP

CHARGE UNDER SHIPPING SAFETY REGULATIONS (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, September 11. The fact that a man yesterday boarded an overseas ship lying at Queen’s Wharf without a permit was severely criticized by the Magistrate, Mr F. H. Levien, in the Magistrate’s Court today when William James Sylvester Anthony Whitty, aged 31, a labourer, pleaded guilty to a charge under the Shipping Safety Emergency Regulations 1940. The police said that Whitty was admitted to the wharf when he said he wanted to see Constable Anderson at the Queen’s Wharf Police Station. It was later discovered that Whitty did not go to see the constable but had been on an overseas ship. Whitty told the constable he had “put one over him” as he wanted to get on the ship to see a fireman. The police ascertained' that the fireman named had been paid off the ship in Australia. The Magistrate: How did he get'on the boat?

Senior-Sergeant Joyce: There is an official on duty on the gangway. The Magistrate: Well, what’s the good of having regulations? This man is charged with an offence for which, if he elects, he can be tried by the Supreme Court. It is supposed to be a serious offence but on pitching a tale to a constable he is allowed to pass the gates, and, although there is an official on duty on the ship’s gangway, he is allowed to get aboard. What a wonderful system! And now I am asked to impose a penalty. The maximum penalty is a fine of £lOO or 12 months’ imprisonment. It was stated that the constable had authority to admit persons with business at the wharf police station. The Magistrate: If a man wishes to go to the police station on the wharf he should have tn escort. Whitty was fined £3.