Three Lascars appeared before Mr. G. W, King at H. M. Police Court on Tuesday charged with having deserted from the P. & 0. 8. Kalyan, Inspector McGregor, who appeared for the Police, stated that on Sunday the Company reported desertion of four men from the ship. Two of the men were arrested on the same afternoon in Boundary Road, and a third was arrested in North Soochow Road on Monday afternoon. The Kalyan left on Sunday morning for Japan.
In reply to a question by his Worship "@ to the reason for the prosecution, Mr. H. V. Wilkinson said there had lately been a number of desertions not only in Shanghai, but at other ports.
Defendants were understood' to say that they feared to return to the ship, and would rath-r jump into the water." They complained of having been bullied and beaten by the No. 1 Lascar. ""You must understand that man is allowed to leave his ship," said his Worship, in sentencing the men to three weeks' imprisonment. He added that the Shipping Office might perhaps make arrangements to have them transferred to another ship.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.