DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1919, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

DISOBEDIENT AND PILLAGING SEAMEN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Seven members of the crew of the American sailing ship Tonowanda were charged to-day with disobeying orders and theft. Recently seven other members of the crew were arrested on charges of pillaging cargo, so that the whole of the crew but one are in trouble. For the prosecution it was alleged that tho men deliberately sot themselves out to cause annoyance. Four were charged with disobeying orders, but were let otf owing to th-2 lack of essential evidenceThey said there had been a dispute about wages, and three of them had gone ashore to see the American Consul, although the captain had remarked that there was no need to do so. Thg, four who remained on board said the boatswain had not asked them to turn to. He had said: "I reckon if you hand me a dollar I'll buy a beer. I'm thirsty."

The chief officer stated that both the SHC';iid mate and the boatswain had said the men refused to turn to, but neither the second officer nor the bosun gave evidence. It is alleged ihe men brought considerable quantities of liquor on board, 15 cases of empty bottles being found on Wednesday. The magistrate agreed to three charges being withdrawn. The seven members of tho crew who pleaded guilty to cargo pillaging came up for sentence, as they Were wanted to man the ship in a, few days. Tho magistrate broke the rule to send pillagers to gaol, and fined the three £'2o, or three months, the others £lO or six weeks.

FULL COMPENSATION GIVEN, Wellington, March 7. A judgment was to-day delivered by the Arbitration Board in the case heard on February 28, in which Matilda May Walker claimed ixmipensation from Frank Penn, owing to tho death of her husband, Frank Walker, a linotype operator employed by the defendant. The court held that the evidence was Rmply sufficient to establish the insanity of deceased as resulting from the injury to his brain, and that he had committed suicide. Plaintiff was entitled to full compensation, and judgment was given for £SOO, with £lB 10s funeral expenses and £lO 10s costs. THE PRICE OF FLOUR. Wellington, Last Night. The Hon. MacDonakl said to-day it had been decided that the price of flour to bakers should be reduced from £ls 10s to £ls per ton net. The Government was considering whether the price of bread delivered otherwise than over the counter Bhould be increased. Nothing has been done yet about the payment of a subsidy to millers. A "SILVER BETTOR." '"<■ Auckland, Last Night, A fine of £2O and costs was imposed in the Police Court on Ormond M. Byrne for having made bets on the Takapmia racecourse on February 1. Accused was described as a small bookmaker or "silver bettor."