1937-09-17 — Page 6

ALHAMBRA

NATHAN. RO. HOWLOOTDAI

TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW'S

They let her play with headlines...she'd have

been safer with a gun!;

FRED MACMURRAY FRANCES FARMER

CHARLIE RUGGLES

"EXCLUSIVE"

▲ Parameam: Picture, with: LLOYD NOLAN FAT HOLDEN- RALPH MORGAN

SUNDAY

66

BLONDE TROUBLE'

Eleanore Whitney-Johnny Downs

London is far— nearer by AIR!

وو

•Nearly three weeks saved on the journey home? Every Friday luxurious air-liners leave Hong Kong for Penang where connexion is made with the main Australia-London service. Perfec comfort. Plenty of room for luggage. No tips

As more and more of the new double-decked, 4-engined Empire flying-boats come into commission, still further time e savings will be

me savings

China and England -

IMPERIAL AIRWAYS

THE CHINA MAIL, SEPTEMBER 17, 1937.

SEVERN LEIGH CASE

AGAINST GREW

"I consider it quite impracticable in the inter- ests of discipline, for my ship to sail with the pre- Isent crew," said Capt. A. E. Ford, master of the s.s. Severn: Leigh, in the course of his evidence at the Marine Court this morning.

Twenty-three members of the crew are being prosecuted for disobeying the lawful commands of the master so as to impede the

voyage.

NOT GUILTY PLEA

CROSS-EXAMINATION

Mr. Strellett, in

cross-examina“

March 10, 1937. Where? Liverpool.

Mr. D. L. Strellett, who appeared yesterday for A. Crowder, W. tion: When were the articles sign- Matthews and A. MacDonald, in-ed? formed the Court that he now re- presented all twenty-three defen- dants, and that the plea was not guilty.

For how long? Not exceeding three years.

The limits? 75 degrees North Capt. A. E. Ford was represented and 60 S. Latitude, commencing at. by Mr. R. M. King, who stated that Liverpool proceeding then to, and. the vessel arrived on September 1 or any other ports within the above from Miki, Japan with a cargo of limits, trading in any rotation and coal which was discharged by the to end at such port in the United evening of September & The ship Kingdom as may be required by the was ready to sail on the following master. day at noon with ballast to Hongar to pick up another cargo of an- thracite coal for Mikki and

Wakamatsu.

STRIKERS LETTER

What were the purposes of the voyage? Ordinary commercial trading.

Is there a special clause relating to a war risk or a special risk?— No.

Is there a special clause în re-

Yes.

MASTER'S EVIDENCE

On September 7 the master re-ard to contraband and smuggli ceived a letter signed by several members of the crew which inform- ed him that they felt that they could not serve on the Severn Leigh after reading accounts in the "China Mail" of war conditions in the North, and asking for a fifty per cent increase in wages.

Capt. A. E. Ford, master, said that after receipt of the letter from the crew a cable was sent on to the owners and a reply was received which pointed out that if the voy Mr. King added that all of those age complied with clause 16, para who signed were in court except graph 2 of the charter party, no three who had been discharged war risk applied. They added that The master and the first officer they knew nothing of war risk then informed the crew that they bonuses and asked for information were not justified in making their as to where the vessel had been or claims and that they were open ordered.

"I explained to the representa- prosecution if they continued to disobey orders. On September 9tives of the crew that we were not the master wrote a letter to the sailing to North China-ports, north crew which was read to them on of Shanghai or to Yangtze ports or the following day by the first of any other ports which had been cer, but the men replied that they forbidden by Naval Intelligence, were staying on board on principle. continued the captain.

The crew still bequired a 50 per cent. increase in wages and acord- ingly information was land at the Harbour Office for summonses on September 10.

NO OBJECTION

same

On the afternoon of the day, on the instructions of the As- sistant Harbour Master, the cap-

SUMMONS ISSUED Continuing, Mr. King said that the Assistant Harbour Master saw Captain Ford, and two members of the crew, one representing the sailors and one from the firemen land, when he was told the same story. dispatched a telegram to the Board of Trade. On the receipt of a reply the present summonses tain accompanied by E. Gantoa and A. Crowden, representing the crew, were issued.

Mr. King informed his Worship went to the Harbour Office and that it seemed strange that the were told by the Assistant Har- whole crew was summoned and that bour Master that he proposed send- obviously some members were more ing a cable to the Board of Trade ardent strikers. The Captain was explaining the whole matter. So unable to place the blame on any far as he, the captain, knew, the ring-leaders but added that the crew made no objection to this agitation was probably from some course.

-

person or persons on land. In the A reply was received on Septem- matter of justification in disobey- ber 15, last Wednesday, and the ing orders he asked that his wor-crew acquainted with its contents, ship take into consideration only upon which, three members still the incidents of September 9,

stood out for war-bonuses, all the Mr. W. B. Hillyer, Deputy Ship-firemen, except, Jones, who was ill, ping Master produced the articles signified their willingness to pro- of the ss. Severn Leigh.

ceed and the remainder said that Mr. King: Did the crew of the they were prepared to carry on pro- Severn Leigh tell you why they revided an assurance was given that fused to obey the orders of the no further action in the matter master to sall? - - Not from the would be taken. whole crew coffectively.

Who told you? =C

Crowder.

Going back to September 9, Capt. Ford said that the Severn Leigh When was the conversation held? was ready to sail at 11 am on that At the Shipping Office, but I date. Lloyds had given a certi can't remember the date.

ficate and steam had been rea

Can you tell why Crowder refus. from 6 am the previous day.

ed to all? Yes, for himself had been maintained and it only because the ship was helping still possible to sail within four en aggressor nation.

houza.