RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3432, 20 February 1874, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, PORT CHALMERS.

Friday, February 20. (Before Captain Thomson and Dr. Drysdale. J.P.s.) Wilful Disobedience.— Charles Austin, boatswain of the s.s. Mongol, was charged by Captain Flamank with wilfully disobeying lawful commands on the 19th, viz., to leave the saloon. From the evidence given it appeared that Austin had during the night got drunk, and early in the morning had become very abusive to the captain and other officers, and at last found his way into the saloon, and got into the steward’s room or the pantry, and there got hold of a box of sardines. The steward told him to leave it alone, and the affair came to high words The captain, being on deck, heard the row, and came down to know what was the matter, and found Austin about to strike the steward. He ordered the boatswain on deck, but he refused to go, and dared the captain The first mate was then sent for, and after a time, when it suited Austin’s inclinations he went on deck, and there again abused the captain. After this he was placed in irons and seat ashore to the police station. There being a further charge against him, the Court decided to hear it before giving judgment on this case.

Continued Disobedience of Commands. —This was the nature of the other charge. The captain on this charge read the extract from his official log bearing upon it, from which Austin’s conduct from 2 a,m. appeared to be very rowdy and bad j and at 6 a.m. he had refused to obey the orders of the captain, these orders being that as he was too far gone in drink to give orders he should turn in to his bed. He had attempted to strike the mate and also the captain, and was. throughout very violent. The prisoner’s defence was that he had been promised, ou leaving home, that when he had arrived here he shou'd receive half pay to send home to his wife and child in England, who were starving, and the captain had refused upon the d»y the mail [eft to give him any money; audthis made him excited, and ■\yas the cause o[ his getting drunk. He was sent to prison fqr one week on the first charge, and for three on the second.