A DANGEROUS ACT.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1922, Page 5

A DANGEROUS ACT.

STEAMER ’S LINES CAST OFF. i GREASER CONVICTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland. Dec. 29. At nine o’clock last night the 9000-ton steamer Tekoa, alongside the wharf, was found with its stern mooring lines adrift They were made fast and investigation led to the arrest of a greaser named George Woods. Though apparently asleep in his bunk, Woods’ hands were covered with grease of the kind used on the mooring lines. The statement that he touched a rope coming aboard was not accepted as satisfactory. At the Police Court, Woods was first oharged with having attempted to destroy the Tekoa. This was withdrawn and replaced by the charge of having done an act fending directly to serious injury or damage to the vessel. The captain of the Tekoa stated that Woods had given much trouble on the ship, and had, under the influence of drink, railed against the shipowners and threatened to get even with them. The Magistrate said the evidence was not very strong, but he regarded it as sufficient. Accused was fined £5O, or as an alternative three months’ gaol, being the maximum allowed.