RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3826, 29 May 1875, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT, PORT CHALMERS.

Saturday, May 29. (Before T. A Hansford, Esq., H.M.)

Embezzling Ship’s Cargo, -John Brown, a seaman belonging to the ship Leucadia, was charged upon the information of William Leady, chief-officer, with embezzling one case of brandy, of the value of L 3. part of the ship’s cargo, on the 29th iust.— Prisoner pleaded not guilty.—William Leady deposed that he went down into the vessel’s hold yesterday, and found that the case produced, which was part of tho ship’s cargo, nad been broken open and three bottles abstracted. It was shortly afterwards repaired by the carpenter, and after the day’s work was over, witness, in company with Mr Crowder, Customs officer, again went into the hold and found that another bottle had been taken out of it. On searching about he found one bottle of brandy “ planted.” At 7.30 this morning witness again went into the hold and secreted himself there. Shortly afterwards, the accused came down, and after moving some of the cargo, went to the eide of the vessel He took out a bottle, and after drinking a portion of its contents, threw the bottle down the lower hold. Witness then emerged from his hiding place and secured the accused, and afterwards went down into the lower hold, and there picked up the bottle now produced, which bore the same brand as those in the case. The full bottle produced was the one that had been “ planted.” Upon the application of Sergeant "Neil, the accused was remanded until Monday for the production of the ship’s articles, which were in Dunedin.