A SEAMAN'S DODGE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4739, 6 June 1894, Page 3

A SEAMAN'S DODGE.

•'Afew days ago," writes "Mer cntio," in the Aucklund Herald, ; case occurred in the Police (Jour which may be misunderstood. A mai named Harmer stole a pair of hooti from (i shop door in the face of i constable, who, of course, " ran bin in." • Harmer said he took the boot: in order to get into gaol, as ho couh not find employment, and to ge locked up .wis his last resource, Tin magistrate asked him how long hi •wanted .to be in prison, anu.thi prisoner said a, month, Mr Npr|h craft did not like to give hin nil his own way, and sent him off fo; five weeks. This, however, is up exactly a case of distress for want o work. Harmer was a "hand" oi board a direct steamerfrom Ijondon He fanoied that he would liketi make Auckland his permanent resj dence, and he.went to. tho captain, o the vessel and offered to take £2 o the wages coming due to him am ■ clear, But ih& captain objected 1 and so the ingenious plan was re ' sorted to of annoxing the pai l of boots. By tho time the five week jfllj gone, the steamer will bo wel HRn: way to London, and the p'ui free a

« the air. Thnbcstof tho joko, how.. • over, from tho sailor's point of view 1 iB, that ho, loses nothing, at all, Tlio j captain lias.'to/enter: against tho . mail's nam? ."Leftin gaol," and tho law looks/aftor tho' man's , interest strictly.' The captain is ' obliged to leave nfc the'Custbms, the full amount of wages due to the sailor, 1 arid also air bis proporty of every description which may bo left'on board ship: When , the man gob out after obtaining fivo 3 weeks free board and lodgings, ho j has simply to go and demand his 3 wages and clothes, No deduction . eaii bo made, ovon of the cost of his j maintenance in gaol. And yet tho , ease lias gone over tho Colony •as I that of a'poor man rendered desper- , ate by want of employment."