BENCH CRITICAL

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1940, Page 8

BENCH CRITICAL

By Telegraph—Press Association.

MAN ILLEGALLY ON SHIP

Auckland, Sept. 12. The fact that a man boarded an overseas ship lying at Queen's Wharf without a permit was severely criticised by the magistrate, Mr. E. C. Levien, ln the Police Court when William James Sylvester Anthony Whitty, aged 31, 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. Later it was 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 tt> 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 ship? Senior-Sergeant Joyce: "There was an official on duty on the gangway." The magistrate: Well, what's the good of having regulations? This man was charged with an offence for which if he elects can be tried hy the Supreme Court. It is supposed to be a serious offence, but on pitching a tale to a constable he was allowed to pass the gates and, although there was an official on duty at the ship's gangway, he was allowed to get aboard What a wonderful system! "And now I am asked to impose a penalty," he added. "A maximum penalty of a fine of £100 or 12 months' im- ' prisonment is provided." 1 Senior-Sergeant Joyce said the constable had authority to admit persons with business at the wharf police station. The magistrate: "If a man wishes togo to the police station on the wharf he should have an escort. Why not?" Whitty was fined £3.