VENGEFUL FIREMAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1917, Page 5

VENGEFUL FIREMAN.

ATTACKS HIS OFFICER. DESERTIONS AND AN AFFRAY IN A BAR. Bluff, March 29. , Thore has been trouble on a steamer which arrived from Wellington last week. Three firemen absented themselves without leave and on Wednesday warrants were issued for their arrest. One (G. McCarthy) wa s arrested, and another returned to the ship. The third was not apprehended, but turned up that night at the Club Hotel, where [ the third engineer of the ship (Saunders) and two officers entered for refreshment.

Before tliev bad obtained their drinks, .Tamel Dickson, the missing man, appeared and approached Saunders, saying: "You're the causing all the trouble on the ship," He then hit Saunders on the back of the neck. Saunders turned to defend himself, but Dickson kicked him in the shins, bringing him down on the floor, and continued kicking him on the hoad and face. Saunters was badly injured, and had to liavo medical attention, the wounds in his head being stitched. The police wore informed, and promptly arrested Dickson.

The men were before the court this morning, and both pleaded guilty to deserting, McCarthy claiming the right to do so when in a British port, as he was not a deck hand. The chief officer (McVienr) said he should apply to the chief engineer. McCarthy said he might as well speak to a brick wall. There was a dispute aboard the ship, and ho did not want his brains kicked out. He was not the only one ashore, ; and he wanted the others to get charged. He was conyieted and fined one day's wages.

An assault charge was preferred against James Dickson, who. pleaded guilty. Evidence as to the assault was given by the third engineer (Elrnest Saunders) and the first and second officers. ' •

AccusM crost-examined Saunders, alleging that ho was the cause of all the trouble on the ship. He set up as a fighting man,- and atruek the accused first, Accused said he also was struck toy the second officer, but the latter said he never had a chance to do eo. The chief officer swore that Llckaoii was not touched and had no provocation.

The defence called Mountain (a fireman), who said he would tell the truth, "so help me, God." He saw Dickson go round Saunders,' who kicked him. Witness did not see anything else; his sight was bad.

Sergeant Brookes, who arrested the men, said Saunders was lucky not to lone the sight of one eye. The magistrate said a serious assault had been committed. Accused was,convicted and fined - £3, with costs 7s; and medical expenses 10s Bd.

The master of the ship wished the men to be kept in safe custodv till the vessel was due tt> sail, but the Bench decided it could not order this if the fino was paid. The accused paid, and went free. There is a strong opinion here that the sentence was inadequate in face of the unprovoked nature of the assault.