RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3605, 11 September 1874, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, PORT CHALMERS.

Friday, September 11. (Before Captain Thomson and Dp Dryadale J.’P.s)

Wilful Disobedience of Orders. —Thos, Ch miners and Chares Burke were charged by C ptain Stuart, of the ship Tweed, with vviiful disobedience of duty while on the voyage from England. Mr Joyce appeared for waptain Stuart.—Captain Stuart, master of t!ie ship Tweed, said the accused were articled seamen. One Saturday afternoon they came aft and stated they would work no longer because it wag six o’clock, and upon another occasion when it was their watch on deck, they were found asleep in the forecastle. He believed they encouraged the passengers to come in and upon the forecastle When required to shorten sail they were a long time turning out, and upon one occasion the whole of the watch were asleep, except one man. Witness believed the prisoners were the ringleaders. The vessel lost a deal of canvas on account of the watch not turning out —W. U. Hellyef, second officer, said the conduct t f the two men was very bad from the commencement of the voyage.—R. L. Randall said the canvas that was lost was no fault of the accused, but of the others iu their watch at the time the prisoners were confined.—C. L. Cunningham, doctor of the ship, said upon several occasions he was called to see the accused, who complained of being ill, but witness could see bo symptoms, and believed they were only feigning.—The aocu ed, in defence, stated that at one time they We re ill and went and told the captain, after which the** were examined by the doctor, who prescribed for them; but upon another occasion the captain brought seme medicine to them, but they would not take it, as they were better and tit to go to work. They were not allowed, however, but put into a room, where they were locked up for thirty-three days, the place being badly ventilated. They were also confined in the same room for five days after the vessel anchored in the Bay at Port Chalmers, and had repeatedly asked to be allowed to see a Magistrate. The Beu’h reserved their decision until the other charges against' them were heard.— The prisoners weta then charged with embezzling on or about the 15th August one case sardines, and one ease of milk, of the value of LIO and pleaded not guilty. On the first charge they were each sentenced to four weeks’ hard labor, aud on the second to eight weeks’. Chambers was further sentenced to fourteen days’ for contempt of Court.