1918-01-26 — Page 3

Page

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A CHIEF OFFICER. FORCIBLY TAKING OVER COM MAND OF A SHIP

ADDRESSES FOR DEFENCE AND PROSECUTION:

The Court of Inquiry into the conduct of Mr N G Mager, while Chief Oficer of the sa, Manapouri, was resumed, ye torday, at the Marine Court, when the

THE HONOHONG DAILY PRENS, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26TH 1018

addresses for the defence and prosecution what were the circumstances? Who was was no immediate application for and who told untrus

were delivered. The Court was composed of Comtnander. Heckwith, N. Pre sident); Commander F. Gibson, RN (H.M.S. Tamer); Captains B. A. Hirss, TA Mitchell, and W. Davidson, R.N.R

Mr. C. G., Alabaster (instructed by Mr J. H. Gardiner) appeared for Captain Wilson, the complainant; and Mr L. Shintor, for Mr. Majer, the defendant Captain Wilson was recalled by Cont mander fcckwith............

Commander Beckwith-Captain Wil son, how did the extraordinary document which was said to have been given you, the Master of the Jampuri, by the Second Officer, come into your posses sion -Captain Wilson I was asked to resign from the Map on the 4th

in writing

the conduct of Mr. Majer was justified, the insurance companies A most did mention a steward, but only to how They bad to take into consideration the scrous offence had been committed and that thore wea one order duty he eved to his ship to the owners, no notice whatever had been taken of it. coffee Caplain Wilson, and to the passengers Captain Majer On the 4th of January, Captain Wilson - béen up at day ~ and haul acted under peculiar circumstances, resigned. Was un official inquiry asked, one cup of hot coffee. · Mr. when the shs was stormy and there Ap for1 No not for thirteen days, and the Chief Engineer testified to it. Mr. peared to be grave danger to the ship.ther Captain Wilson submitted a Majer stated that Captain Wilson drank Captain Majer committed in the words port which showed that it had been several cups of strong black coffee. Then of Captain Wilson-one of the most written by a man of law. If Captain they said that Captain. Wilson was hong- toxious things. He would go further Wilson had been genuine in his conducting on to the taile of the ship, not, bo- and say it was the most serious offence he would have written out the report intoxicated and would have fallen down. cause it wie rolling but because he was to commit on board a steamer But himself at once. The reason why there There they again tied themselves into

as 1 Captain Mujer Captain Majer was on inquiry was because Captain Wilson was hanging on to the rails because he said Captain Wilson officer of over forty years experience dared not nek for an inquiry till he was over. But they all stated that

was drunk and was afraid t and held a Master's certificate for twenty- forced to do so. When Captain Wilson Wilson was jumping about the deck, thut years, His character the Court bad was asked why he applied for the in-

he jumped to the telegraph already heard they had also had some quiry, be replied: "Because Majer is that

with the Chief

went dower. They ipdication of the sort of wan has talking not because a serious offence from a newspaper report of a certain was committed on board, but because submitted to the Court, incident on a steamer in which he played at Majer had made it hot for bin ments of those witnesses were

Was that a gennine case? There was no possible exense, except perhaps the ped

untrue, but inevitable is question that Captain Wilson, was drunk

porba their tirely the ploa which they could have

only two instances where Socrataya

which throw the charge-it Mr. Majer's footh throw

story

and

struggled

stated. his cab

cabie they could coal Mr. Alabaster that the state

uing

oaly

was the reason why Mrs Wilson was denied b standing on the bridge. What had the engine room or the Chiness staff to gain

on the night of the incident, and that all of the

same facts. One wan

of January, and I did such he had done nothing, though the ship Mr Major and Mr. Green, who had been sign of

My clothes had been packed, and I was

Could

ready to go ashore in the evening. At 5 p.m., or thereabouts, I was in my room getting ready to leave the ship when the Second Officer, Mr. Nicolas, which came to iny room. He asked me for a referene. I replied: "What's the use of a drunken Master's reference to you You have signed & report with others that I was drunk and incapable on Nov. 12th The Second Officet replied: I have not done so I said: "You have; I saw your signature in the re port. He answered: Yes; I signed to what I have scen-that you were very

be possible for him within that

sey say under the influence of Mr. Alabaster Did not Mr. Macart liquor

Th

not tre

was

grace utely when

part. It was only fair, therefore, to approach the caso from that point of yjow? Would Captain Majer with his vast experience commit the act he was alleged to have committed unless there was, some foundation for what he did The line of the prosecution was that the

that he did not a jug of Vater in Captain Wilson's Ince incident on the day in question was this charge? Nothing. Then there It was alo denied by Captain and Mrs. the outcome of long-meditated con- was no entry in the scrap log. Was it Wilson, though the expert, Mr. Mucart- ney, stated that Captain Wilson might spiracy on the part of Captain Majer, not a matter for surprise, the manner have been under the influence of lianor Captain Wilson stated in Court that he in which Captain Wilson regarded the incident, he asked the members of the Then with regard to the Cup Rock conduct of Mr. Majer, if his story weren was cognisant of the conspiracy. Yet of the consequenced Was it poreible for Court to rond the evidence and deduce I stated that resigned only:

of anyone being.. time as Mr. Moller, Mr Williamson touched at Saigon, made two trips to so rigorously cross-examined, to repeat

influence of

except Mr Majer. had to deal with next with cur and I were satisfied that the charges of Java, onme back again to Saigon, and Iniry-talt, conected in the brain was Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Nicholas caid he

eventually returned to hongkong, Till drunkounces which had been made in the thirteen days had passed, Captam Wil pole man, without breaking down and pointed out Gap Rock to the Captain. hopelessly compromising themselves who asked him to go down and that he report and of the occurrences on the day son did not take any stops. He was Referring to the Inerten incident, MI would ook alter the ship. He did so. in question were proved to be false. On going to show the Court how Captain Shenton said it was not possible that If Mr. Nicholes knew that Captain WILL Saturday, the 6th January, I signed off arrived at his decision on the Captein Jenkyns the master would son was under the influence of liquor

in question:" If the

ease were one have given Mr. Major the testimonial he would be have gone down If not for and paid off the crew on board ship it they then the whole crew were in possessed unless he fully deserved it the fact that he (Mr. Alabaster) has told

were all in league in a serious Captain Jenkyns was one of the clipper that Captain renty-four hours notice to attend the discipline and had to have done heMr Majer was sent for by Captain At Umaly. Did that sound probable skippers of the old school man of iron would have so that he was the never drank, ho Majer had been given only Mr Majer done men who was drunk in those waters. Court and answer that serious charge would have received short shritt As Wilson. He told the Court be made out time to make up such a story; had heard the account written in the cd. Well, Mr. Majer had been sent for gards the Bellacore incident, the Court Green Island when the searchlight play. The approached very near fairy The crucial point was Was there papers of 24 years ago Mr Macartney, by Captain Wilson to know where they groen and white light to be seen and his evidence had nothing to my were, but he never anentioned the fact that was there & ship passing at the time against Captain Wilson except that he was Green Island. Then be stated that, port the charge of contemplated cor- never seen him drunk, except at Socra done so if he knew that Captain Wilson Who were the witnesses called to gap had been courteous and kind. He had Captain Wilson told him to go

down below, Would ... Captain Majer have spiracy and actual mutiny They were bayn. Captain Wilson himself, Mrs. Wilson, and Mr. Hurley. On the other hand

striking evidence That particular was under the influence of liquor! Cer- tainly note. They had one. who were the witnesses for the defend

more piece Sof aut They comprised the deck the

Wilson in a perfectly straight hand. If incident had been written up by Captain were all in favour of Captain Majer

the Gap Rock incident, Captain Wilson engine-room and the Chinese staff, who

they were going to judge the case by It was a notable thing, this amalgama tion of all the ship's a departments to give Continuing Mr. Shenton dealt with bg to support him. Ayo other incidents

absolutely denied it had the evidence when they from either side. Mr. Hurley, he Wilson. They had heard Captain Wil they were not corroborated by a single the written testimonial given to Captain were also deposed to by Mr. Majer, but submitted, was not only a witness for ton's statement and they had heard the other soil and they hose on their faces Mr. Hurley went round the various Ufficer wanted a referencs for the pur not Captain Wilson, but acted as

his the Agent

gent. Second Officer's statement The Second the stamp of falsehood. Mr. Majer was departments of the ship with a petition.

wrong dates and gave a evidently innder the orders of Captain Second Officer's statement ware true,

Can jose of getting a certificate. If the date,

The

described Wilson

trying to procure

detnil and gavo signatures gainst the drunken incident.

tam that document was cbtained by

date on path. He had stated that Looking over Mr. Hurley's

circumstances. The Second Officer had drunk. Could it be possible for him to wish to damn your carcer I then certain conversations

do sof He had to go to went into the chart-roon and wrote out derogatory to the members of the crew sailer's good heart, was ready to help Aaval Intelligence Officer for his con- between various members of the crew, good time, and, on his return, potsessing for the ship'e papers, and to the Senior the Harbour

reformer, which I gave him. I then themselves. There was much in that anyone and so wrote out the testimonini.idential instructions Could one believe told him: If what you said la true bet citing to create disaffection Ansuming that the evidence, against Mr a single part of that, evidence fair No write it down. I have resigned from the fenbe esses called by the de Majer showed that he was wrong in sould be placed on the evidence of The next part was a more serious every possible respect, he did his duty such people as air. Nicholas & men who ship; you have got your reference; I have meter, ond was the substratum of the on behalf of the crew on behalf of the was ready to give no further influence over yon. As far Prosecution. It showed a spirit i owners, and on behalf of the passengers, one should not have been given the i

reference to oblige slinging of mud ut Mr. Green. It was at the owners blame him! No, they character his learned friend had given

to the

gave him command of the ship. In him. serious, because it was

was conclusion, Mr. Shenton submitted that evidence, simply to oblige his friend's might have come to give

chart-room the Second Officer was in the Uf they were true-would

been substantiated and should be cis on the port quarter,

which missed,

wilson could not see, but Captain "act of tearing up a sheet of paper and his whole family life. But they Mr. Alabaster, addressing the "I saw and some where west on the port

MR. ALAB SIZE'S SPEECH it through the telescope He muttered" This won't do. He then showed a spirit of enmity and

were false, utterly false, and only wrote this testimonial--if I might room of the whole

and Court for the prosecution, said that his quarter. Mr. Alabaster submitted to

such and brought it to me in my room,

Why was Mr. tellectual treat and delightful charact west on the port quarter he, might

fight have Talants been able to see the Philippine TRANS against Majer! The answer was all. He would, however, deal with facts, my business, bus would have told you plain

simple because Captain leaving character sketches in the more was a great similarity in the

dvidence six months ago that that dd low Majer superseded him that was where skilful hands of his learned friend. One given by Mr. Nicholas to that given by

apite

ir. Majer, especially in the use of Elas

excited." I said⠀⠀ " No, it was differ ent. Surely you read the report? It was written on a sheet of foolscap. He answered: was told about it, I signed my name before I saw it. Bald All right, if you want

I

Mr. Shenton-Yes, you are right Mr was to be found creeping on the grass Macartney's definition of being drunk (Laughter.)

the

Tentsident ne

Captain Wilson under most

despicable Wilson had left Hongkong

reference I will give it to you. I don't found that the brow he had overheard been paid off. He went ashore, had &fice to get it clearance to the owners

as I am concerned you can all go to

between

enmity, of spite. He referred

Ho

I then went into my room. to put on material as far as the case the charge against Mr. Majer bad not client Captain Majer said he saw land

Overcoat. When I returned to the was concerned.

There

were certain

01 misconduct against

He was the learned friend had given them an in- the Court that it be saw land somewhere saying Captain Wilson; it was not going for Captain Wilson sketches of each witness. But that was bout a thousand miles away.

A

Commander Beckwith-Did you men

grent

the

stood

mit

to Mr

801 were the

tion to him about getting a job on a to shat he wanted to know was hatched over a considerable period of Baw it through naked eyes: Captain

river bost-Witness: No..

Commander Beckwith (to Mr Shen

The Court would like to see the report submitted by Mr. Majer to the

owners,

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Powell

Wm

He

Act It was his duty, to put in

log the report of every offence

the Court wishes I will wire for it at evidence in chief was with son's and polished up to put the Captain in pizted by a member of his crew for

SOIKE

(pointing to the Chief Officer's cabin) that came in. Mr. Shenton submitted of the most striking facts was that the saw a remarkable change in

Mr. Hurley's evide

evidence

ce clearly indi Court was called to inquire into the cont was working against you." He alan cated that there was some special motive duct of Mr. Majer during certa Captain Wilson. His evidence was of added: "I told them they were dirty against Captain Majer. There was a period which occupied perhaps about They had heard a question

no value. Now as to the maneuvre. deal more in awine to be so, friendly to you and your the mere divining of whether ho was November, 1917. He was charged with by him that it was Captain Wilson who core in the prosecution than five minutes, on the night of the 12th Majer by the Court. It was admitted wife when they were working behind Shenton said he could only say on commands of the Master, and with tak

right of wrong

For Mra Wilson-Mr. Having wilfully disobeyed the lawful pointed out that the ship was heading to your back." The Second Officer then thing and that was that he left me. When he was going away h

after the incident, They had the ing, the ship out of his hands, "Now, to evidence of admiration

for her Ha

as to the posi told him I would like to see Mr. Clark, favour. She was the wife of Captain the charge in toto, or he might have into the probabilities vere the lights

such a charge there were various de tion of the nothing too Bay

strong in

fences Mr. Majer ht havs denied Lights-he sked the Court to enquire the third engineer

Wilson, the came to the Court and by him, Captain Wilson had lost his pleaded the agony of the moment. He those of the ship which, before the mao- Job, but Mrs Wilson Carte to that Court did not do so. It was proved by certain euvre, had been a

green and white light evidence

scraps of evidence that the plot had been or was it a stern light1 Captain Wilson and support her husband

What was Mrs. Wilson doing on the time. They had been told by Me Majer saw it through the glasses. I bridge all the time! Was she tho Cap Nicholas that he had known of the plot did not know what the conspiracy was tain She admitted that it was one months ago. Mr. Hurley, when he left de Captain Wilson out of the stormest nights she had ever known, the ship, gave a gentle warning to the Advogada dhe failure in logging. The

but it

it was ovident they were trying to and be failed to see why Mrs Wilson Captain. They had heard, in reply to duty of a Master in logging was

Job was on the bridge all that time, except questions from the Mr. Shenton-It is in Shanghai. If that he went thore with one object Court that the ion medbers of the clearly stated in the Merchants Shipping

The Arst

part of Captain

object of them. They had bean told tost Mr. showing that he was man of high Major and Mr Green had planned that which it was intended to prosecut Commander Beckwith-Yox, the Court was impossible for

standing," of great

should Mr. Majer call on him, Mr. The Act went same could be said

Green was to obey his orders as Master tended to

to state that if be in-

othe Mr. Alabaster (to Captain Wilson) who was

was now

would Na poder lẽ and did not

a fine not exceeding 35. About certain other incidents outside chief officer

that if he did not spur of the moment, but that it had been intend to prosecute he need not enter Captain

Wilson had not intended to several other considerable, period of time. Newer he particulars of the offence in the los ons Caylain Majer piloted the ship

that not prove that there was a concert prosecute. Both he and Mr bad through various harbours and ports ed and planned mutiny on board? That agreed to Mr Shenton SM Shenton then addressed the Court if not in practices Captain MA conduet. That was why they arrived at rewrites inz

submitted that,

was why they attempted to justify their certain He said that serious allegations had been Why was there no vince the Court that Captain Wilson was over a lengthened period. The inciden was & Chief Officer of the ship was a decision that they must try and con- Captain Majer had planned the mutiny who did not drink. It was plain that made against Captain Major which entry in the off

Captain Wile log of Conspiracy 50 drunk on that occasion that it was had closed with the shaking of h might have a very serious effect on his which Caplane incident way. What evidence of drunkenness hay Lhey had card parties and music, and

informed

the necessary for them to mutiny in that

to put forward any legal technicalities, was up to Captain Wilson to go to the show one single instades of a glass of what followed? He had more contido

they brought forward! They had not would any decent-minded man have done but simply a statement of the bare facts, British Consal at Saigon when the ship spirits being in the Captain's hand or Majer a story With that he would leave Wilson's than in Captain Captain arrived there he charge was one of mutiny nothing!

and register a pruto hear him. They had control of the ship the matter in the hands of the Court which would have resulted in Mr.

taken off the ship and sent to her called as witnesses the fibers The decision was recurred till nat

their co-conspirators they called the Friday, 1st February. of right or wrong maneuvre at any ship made several voyages to Java and compradore, but no attempt was mads to rticular moment, but whether, having back and finally arrived in Hongkong, bring a steward to say he served Capt and to the circumstances in the case, but no report was made. What about Wilson with drinks the whole day. – 21er

and

to

CapTHIS that that mutiny had not been in the But it was e

of

that

of the ship. It all pointed to the fact be liable

of Tuesday, 12th November, 18 it true Wilson on ney know had to con. In the process of incubation for a very tha

that you were under the infuance of liquor -Witness: Absolutely false.

of occasions

OCCASIOUS

On

was aware oft

career. It was not the wish of his client occurred on the 19th November, and

more or less. The question was not no protest was lodged the

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