Murder on the High Seas.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 263, 13 October 1874, Page 6

Murder on the High Seas.

i ■ In connection with the charge of murder heard, last week at the Port Chalmers‘Court, .the ■Wakatip Mail, contains telegraph'll summary of the circumstances oh the case, as follows : ■ - ‘

The Oneca enquiry commenced to-day, and. has created a great interest among, shipping people. The principal evidence was given by a seaman named Sharp, who deposed that, on the evening of September 17, Charles Dodd, the second officer, sent deceased Green to the 1 gallows for sleeping during his'watch. Green was standing on part of .the rail, with his arms folded, apparently , thinking, and about four feet from where he (Sharp) was standing. The second mate told Green to go upon the “ gallows.” They had a few words afterwards. Green then got upon the gallows, but the ship was rolling so much that he could not keep his balance. He caught hold of the staysail and halyards to prevent himself from falling. Dodd told him to let go the rope, and said that if he did not he would knock him down. He also told him to go out amidships. Green, in doing so, fell. Dodd drove him to his feet by striking him with a belaying pin. Green again fell. Dodd then struck him on the head with the belaying pin, knocking him down into the lee scuppers, where he lay for about five minutes. As he was getting up Dodd again struck him on the head with the

belaying pin, and Green cried out, “For God’s sake have mercy, I am an old man.’’ Dodd replied, tl I will give yhu mercy, you son. of. a - ji ,” and told him to go on W gallows again, and as jie was doing so he knocked his hands from the sheet-pole with the' b'elayihg pin, and also struck him on thfe, 'heels, and Green went overheard. Dodd told Witness if he ever mentioned about him (Dodd) clubbing the man he would kill him. Dodd has been committed for'trial.