A VIOLENT SHIP'S OFFICER.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1163, 26 June 1911, Page 4

A VIOLENT SHIP'S OFFICER.

EXTRAORDINARY CONDUCT.

'By Telccraph.-Pres3 Association.) Timaru, Juno 21. At the Police Court to-day, H. Porter, n very powerful young: man, fourth offieer of the Drayton Grange, was charged with assaulting Mr. Levis, third officer, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm. The steamer was in port, on Tuesday and the accused alleged Lewis had insulted him ashore. He (accused) camo on hoard drunk and found Lewis asleep in tho second officer's cabin. Ho pummelled him in the face as ho lay, and, when Lewis wolce up and clinched accused, ho tried to gougo an eye out, injuring tho tissues seriously. Evidence was given to tho effect that accused was extremely violent and dangerous when drunk, and knives and other weapons had had to bo taken from him and put out of his wav. Lewis occupied tho samo cabin as Porter but on Tuesday was taken into another lor fear of mischief when Porter returned The two Justices decided to deal with tho case summarily, and fined accused JilO (half to go to I/cwis as compensation), all costs, and £2 2s. solicitor's fees. Tho money was not forthcoming, and (lie captain declined to pay, preferring to pay Porter off. Accused, who is quite a young man, is said to have had n good career at sea. Ho started as an A.13. •» years ago and ho now holds a second mate's certificate.