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Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 56, 29 August 1844, Page 3

On Thursday last, a man named James Sullivan who bad been employed a* steward on board of the Schooner “ Terror,” was taken ashore and put in the locksup, for being drunk on board of that vessol. The case was investigated before the chief Police Magistrate on Friday, upon the evidence of Captain Dunning’ of the “ Terror.” Sullivan was fined for drunkness, but being unable to pay the amount was ordered to gaol for forty-eight hours. The man appeared to have been severely bea» t as bis face was cut and much bruised. And. upon being put into the custady of the. gaoler, complained Of great pain, which induced Mr. MoElwain to send for Mr. Surgeon Davis, and upoiri examination ascertained that several of Sullivan’s ribs were fractured. He-stated that, on the Thursday Captain Dunning bad assaulted and beat him in a most brutal manner by knocking him down on the deck of the vessel, and afterwards kicking him down the hatchway. Although great annoyance arises from cooks and stewards getting drunk on board of vessels,yet it does not become the duty of the masters, to take the law into their own hands, and beat and ill use men at their discretion. In this case, Dunning, Instead of acting so cruelly towards poor SnlliAan, could at once have obtained the aid of the Police, and had him placed injcusiody. He, however, first exercises great brutality, and afterwards places the man in a position which prevents a complaint being beard, and on the next day goes off with the vessel, and leaves the poor seaman without means, and Unable to work in consequence of his broken ribs. We have » sufficient number of poor persons already in Auckland, without having others thrust upon the community under snch circumstances; and we would respectfully suggest, to our worthy Chief Police Magistrate, that in cases of drunkenness from on board of ships, the nias'er be directed to pay the fine, or take their men away in the vessel, for we are aware of instances when unprincipled persons, in charge of small vessels, were happy to have the excuse of leaving their men in custody, when wages was due to them.