RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3193, 15 May 1873, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT PORT CHALMERS.

Wednesday, May 14. (Before Wm. Thomson, Esq.. J P,, aud John Drysdale, .Esq., J.P,)

Embezzlement of Cargo. —Caleb Leake, John Fletcher, Adam Walt, George Blues, James Martin, and William Wal hj, articled seamen bc’onging to the ship William Davie, who were remanded on the 7th inst., were brought up this day, charged with embezzling a part of the ship’s cargo and stores while on her voyage from Glasgow to Port Chalmers. Mr Mans ford appeared for the piosemtion, and Mr Edward Cook for the prismers. A little further evidence was given, principally showing the value of the cargo and stores taken, when Mr Cook addressed the Bench in a very able manner for the prisoners, more particularly with reference to the part taken in the transaction by Adam Watt and James Martin. The Bench retired to consider their decision, and on resuming ordered Caleb Leake, John Fletcher, George Blues, James Martin and William Walsh to be imprisoned and kept to hard labor for four weeks, and each of them to forfeit out of his wages the sum of L 7. With regard to Adam Watt, the Bench thought there was scarcely sufficient evidence to convict; he would therefore have the benefit of the doubt they entertained, and be discharged.