William Brodie, a member of the crew of the P. & O. S. Plassy, appeared before Mr. G. W. King last Friday upon charges of wilful disobedience and neglect of duty, contrary to the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, Section 225.
Det.-Sgt. Yorke gave evidence of arresting Brodie on board the Plassy on Thursday afternoon. When the warrant was read over to him, he remarked; "'Wilful disobedience? I have not refused duty. It was only the work they asked me to do. Thirty years at sea, and this is the end of it! I asked permission to go and sec the Consul this morning, and it was refused. I also asked permission to see the Consul at Yokohama, and it was' refused."
Accused expressed surprise, that he was being prosecuted, repeating that he had not refused duty.
Chief Officer C. E. Short gave evidence that when the vessel was at Yokohama on April 27, he sent for defendant and asked him to lash two life buoys together. He refused to do so, saying it was not his work. Witness sent him to his cabin, as he had refused orders. He refused again next morning, and said he wanted to see the Consul..He was taken in front of the Captain, laid his complaint, and again refused to do, the work. Witness had had previous trouble with Brodie, having had to log him for being drunk. He had been cautioned on several occasions for the same offence.
The command given was a lawful command.
Defendant—It is not a bosun's duty. I have never had to do it in 30 years at sea. It is a Quartermaster's or A. B.'s work. Defendant added that the chief officer had been chasing him all round the ship and Jeading him a dog's life.
His Worship—You refused duty because you did not like him?
Defendant—He was pushing me too hard, and I could not. stand it any longer.
The Chief Officer added that he had given defendant every chance he possibly could.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.