RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3448, 11 March 1874, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, PORT CHALMERS.

Wednesday,-March 11. (Before Captain Thomson and Dr. Drysdale J.E.s.) Inciting to Desertion,— John Wallis, lighterman, was charged by Captain Peebles with persuading and aiding a- seaman named John Butler in deserting from the ship Margaret Galbraith. Mr Mansford appeared for the prosecution. The defendant pleaded not guilty.—Captain Peebles stated that Butler was an articled seaman on board the ship, but he did not know the defendant.— Charles Smith knew the defendant, and lent him a boat, which he had from Friday till Monday.--Lawrence Henderson saw defendant on board the ship, likewise noticed two of the men belonging to the ship get over the ship’s side at the fore-rigging into defendant’s boat. The defendant pulled ashore.—John C mining, clue? officer of the ship, saw the defendant on board on Sunday, and told the wat- hman to keep a strict watch upon his movements The watchman subsequently told witness that defendant was moving about in his boat, which looked suspicious, and that three men had gone over the side into the boat.—') wo other seamen gave simlar evidence —The defendant stated he went on a visit to one o? the seamen, and while on board he was asked if his dingy would carry two men to the Wild Deer. He replied it would carry more, lie then went into the ship’s gig, and while in the act of taking his friend in the boat, Butler jumped in, and they went ashore. He did not persuade him to leave the ship. The Bench found defendant guilty, and inflicted a fine of 40s and costs, whereupon defendant remarked that thi fine was excessive, and as he continued speaking he was arrested for contempt of Court, but subsequently apologised and was discharged.