RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3795, 23 April 1875, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, PORT CHALMERS.

Thursday, April 22. (Before T. A. Maneford, Esq., R.M.)

Theft.—William Campell, aged seventeen, was charged with stealing a watch on the 21st inst., the property of William Mundy. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, with hard labor, the Bench remarking that his ingratitude to his benefactor, the prosecutor, who fed and sheltered him, was as bad a crime as the theft of the watch.

VAGKANcr.— Arthur Newman, a stout young man, was charged with having no visible means of support. From the evidence of Sergeant Neil and Constable Dobin it appeared the accused had been wandering about the Port since the 14th ir,st. begging and loafing.—ln reply to the Bench the prisoner said he was a carpenter and cabinet maker, but could get no work.— His Worship said he did not believe the prisoner’s statement. Plenty of work was to be had, and the least wages received by carpenters was 12s per day. He would caution the accused if he was brought up again he would receive the full punishment for this offence. The sentence would be imprisonment with hard labor for fourteen days. Friday, April 23. Assault. —Daniel Davis, an able seaman, belonging to the ship William Davie, was charged with assaulting James Griffin, third mate of the same ship, by striking him with a slung shot. From the evidence of the complainant and of Mr Skipaey, the chief-officer, it appeared that they had gone forward to insist on prisoner, who was in his bunk, coming aft to be examined by the surgeon; that he refused, and on the third mate attempting to take him out of his berth, he struck the latter on the arm with a slung shot. The shot glanced off and inflicted a severe blow on complainant’s nose.—Dr Smith proved that upon examination of accused nothing was the matter with him.—Accused, in defence, called three of his shipmates, who deposed that the third officer struck him before he used the slung shot.—The Bench were of opinion that all the evidence had not been brought forward, and directed that the prisoner should lodge an information against the third officer, when he would have an opportunity of being heard on oath, and could by applying to the Clerk of the Court call any witnesses he might desire. For this purpose the further bearing of the case was postponed till Tuesday next, when a similar charge will be preferred by the chief officer against the prisoner. A case against the captain of the barque Kedron, was, by consent, adjourned until to-morrow morning in consequence of Mr Stout, who was engaged to appear for the captain, not being able to be present. ...

Theft. —Samuel Scott, a seaman of the WilHam Davie, was charged with stealing several bottles of old tom, part of the ship’s cargo. After hearing the evidence of Captain M‘Al- - Mr Skipsey, chief officer, and Arthur Calvert, ship boy, bis Worship sentenced the prisoner to be imprisoned for eight weeks with hard labor, and to forfeit from his wages the sum of L 3, the value of the spirits stolen.