FIREMEN AND A BUTCHER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 303, 18 September 1919, Page 6

FIREMEN AND A BUTCHER

■ ASSAULT ON THE FTGH SEAS. Five firemen of tho s.s. Zealandic, named William Georgo Still, Ernest Scott. ■ Robert Bradley, Alfred Gue, and James George King, were charged in tho Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. W. G. Eiddell.. S.M., that whilst the steamer was at sea between Newcastle and Wellington they did assault Frank Wheaton so as to cause him actual bodilv harm, but after hearing the evidence of Dr. Henry, who described tho injuries suffered by complaiuant, the charge was reduced to one of common assault. . Detective-Sei'geant Hawle prosecuted, and Mr. C. B. O'Dounell appeared for the accused. Frank Wheaton, the complainant, said he was the assistant butcher on board the Zoalandic. nnd on the last day tho vessel was at Newcastle In went ashore, and returned on board an hour before sailing, and retired to his bunk. About an hour or moco after the vessel left Newcastle, Scott, Bradley, and Still.came to his duarters, pulled him out of his bunk, dragged him up the ladder, knocked him down, and kicked him. He got away from them, and went to tho forecastle. Scott followed, and caught him before tlip. door could be closed, and agaiu assaulted him. Witness bled from the noso. mouth, and f.-ars, his nose was broken, and his teeth knocked out, and hfl had bruises on h>s body. Guo and King were present, but lie did not think thev struck him. Tho firemen wero drunk, and very excited.

Tho captain of the vessel and the chief steward also gave evidence.

It was conteiided for the defence that Whenton wns seen by tho firemen in tho Ulvde Hotel at Newcastle, where ho had nn altercation with a negro, and was thrown out of the hotel. This happened on the day the vessel left tlic New South Wales port. After tho vessel left, Wheatqn. who it was alleged was drunk, went to the firemen's quarto's, and asked for liauor. and when told there ivas none became abusive, and struck at Scott, who retaliated. Each of the accused save evidence, and all swore to the complainant having had a fight with a negro. His Worship said he did not believe tlio nigger story., which he regarded a.s n concoction. There was no evidence to connect Guo and King with the assault, and tin charga against them was dismissed. Scott, who was regarded as the ringleader, was fined J-JO, anil Still and Bradlev .£5 each, tile alternative in Oiicli case- being a month's imprisonment. His Worship ordered half the iinea (,£lO in (ill) to be paid to tho complainant.