NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2570, 3 August 1909, Page 5

NAUTICAL INQUIRY.

MARINE ENGINEER CHARGED WITH DRUNKENNESS. | Pun Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, August 2. At Lyttelton to-day. Mr. W. R. Haselden, S.M. with Captain Scoullar and Mr. AY. LeCren.(assessors) investigated three charges of drunkenness alleged against Joseph Bradbury, until recently chief engineer of the steamer Storm. The action was taken undcr section 239 of the Shipping and Seamen Act, 1908. Evidence wag given in support of the allegations that Bradbury, was drunk on May 19th, 20th, and 21st, also that, as a consequence of Bradbury’s alleged negligence, the engines ran hot, involving £99 in repairs, and damage to tho cargo amounting to £3O or £4O. Mr. McFadden, until recently, second engineer of the same vessel, deposed that on the passage from Ti-m----aru to Wanganui he found Bradbury asleep during his watch, and that he (witness) kept watch for sixteen hours on end. The defence was a specific denial of the charges of drunkenness, of being asleep during watch, and of the condition of the engines being due to respondent’s neglect. Objection was taken by the respondent’s counsel to tho Production of ;the log hook as the entries* regarding Bradbury’s alleged drunkenness bad not been made within the specified time, namely, before the vessel reached port. Tho Court, noted the objections., and will give its decision in the‘case to-morrow.' The case is said to-, be. the first of it's kind in the Dominion. .