MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 297, 11 September 1919, Page 6

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

ALLEGED ASSAULT ON HIGH SEAS. . Mr. E. 'Page, S.M., presided at tlio Magistrate's Court yesterday and dealt witn the police cases. , William George Still, Alired Guo, Ernest Scott, James'Goorge King, and Kobert Bradley, members of tie crew of the s.s. Zealandic, who were charged that on x the high seas on September-3 they unlawfully assaulted Frank Wheatou, eo as to cause him actual bodily harm, ■were remanded for a week. DetectiveSergeant Kawle stated that the accused were members of the crew of the steamer Zealandic,. and on the date in question they went to tho quarters of wheaton, the butcher on the ship, and assaulted him, so much so.that ho Lad been confined to his bunk ever since. The man's teeth wore knocked out, and he was batliy bruised about tho body. A medical man was to see the' man that day, and after hearing tho medical evidence it might be advisable to reduce the 'Charge to one of common assault. The men asked for bail, which.was fixed at .£SO each, and. one surety of JJSO in each case.

For insobriety two first offenders were each fined 55., in default 2-1 hours' imprisonment, and another who failed to appear had his bail of 10s. estreated. John Edgar Simpson,- for whom Mr. W. G. Mellish appeared, pleaded not guilty to two charges of indecent exposure. One offence was alleged to have been committed in Bolton Street op August 7, aud the other" on August 22, in Aurora Terrace. The case was heard in camera, and turned almost entirely upon the identity of' the accused. Evidence was given by several witnesses who had identified-him at tho police station, picking him out from amongst five o.v six others. The accused, who said he was a casual labourer on the railway,'denied being in cither' Bolton Street or Aurora Terrace; in fact, he claimed that ho did not know'the localities. His Worship reserved his decision, whioh will lie delivered this''morning.-