RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3730, 5 February 1875, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, PORT CHALMERS.

Friday, February 5. (Before T. A. Mansford, Esq., R.M.)

Drunkenness. —Findlay Clark was fined 10s ©r twenty-four hours’ imprisoument. Harboring a Seaman. —Samuel Casey, settler, was charged, upon the information of Sergeant Neil, with harboring a seaman named John Swanton”, belonging to the ship Florence. —Sergeant Neil deposed to having arrested John Swanton at the accused’s house, on the 29th of last month,—John Swanton, seaman, belonging to the ship Florence, said that on the 10th of January, in company with three other seamen and an apprentice belonging to the same vessel, he went to f-asey’s house, where they breakfasted, and afterwards had a conversation with Casey, when they told him they were four seamen and an apprentice belonging to the Florence. Casey told the apprentice he had better go back to the ship, or it might be worse for him. Shortly afterwards three of them Went away. Casey then engaged witness at L 3 10s per month, and subsequently another seaman named Holmes at the same wages, and told both they must keep themselves quiet, so as to keep out of the way of the police.—ln answer to Sergeant Neil, witness stated that he had been to Casey’s house with some of the passengers on the Ist of January; but it was not through that interview they went there when they left the ship.—The defendant stated he employed the two men when they came to him asking for employment. Ho was not aware they were seamen, but thought them passengers by the vessel, as they were dressed at the time like Brogdenites—Hi* Worship considered the evidence beyond,doubt, and inflicted a penalty of LlO and costs. —A similar charge against* the accused, for harboring one Wm. Holmes, was withdrawn.

Ship Deskbtion.— John Swanton and Wm. Holmes, who pleaded guilty to deserting from the ship Florence, were sentenced to two weeks’ hard labor; the captain to have the option of taking them *on board when ready for sea.