MAGISTERIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2105, 3 February 1908, Page 1

MAGISTERIAL.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1. (Beloro Mr AY. A. Barton, S.M.) A SERIOUS CHARGE. James Campbell was charged with having on January 31st wilfully damaged the s.s. Tuatoa. By arrangement a remand was granted till February 7th. Bail was allowed—accused' in £IOO and two sureties of £SO each. ASSAULT. James Campbell entered a plea of guilty to a charge of having assaulted Wesley Johnson on January Gist. Sergt. Williams stated that accused was formerly a fireman on the Tuatoa. Owing to his unsatisfactory conduct it was decided on Friday to dispenso with his services, lie went up 'the town and came back later the worse for liquor, and being found bolow by tiio chief engineer committed on him tile assault complained of. AVesloy Johnson, engineer of tho Tuatoa, said he wont down to the boat about 8 o'clock on the previous ovening, and on going below saw _accuscd. Accused said lie was getting his clothes, but witness said to him that accused had no clothes there, but lio was tampering with tho tires. Ordered accused oif the ship, aud just as lie was leaving the ship- accused struck witness a very severe blow on the side of tho head. Witness fell and when ho recovered a little fouu 1 Campbell oil top of him with both his hands on witness’s throat. After a short struggle witness got the upper hand, but being unable to do more than hold accused down, witness left the ship, meeting a policeman m a short tune.

Aceused stated that he went to the ship to get a towel ho had 1.-ft llere Johnson spoke to him in an overbearing manner, greatly aggravating bun. A fine of £2 was imposed, ’-n default 7 <la vs’ imprisonment. A RECALCITRANT SEAMAN.

George Buckley was proceeded against by the captain of the scow Zingara, for having absented himself from his vessel without leave. Defendant pleaded guilty. Defendant- said ho had given 2-t hours’ notice to leave the vessel, but the captain would not pay him .•■■lf. In his experience is was a usual practice to pay off articled seamen if t n >v gave 2-1 'hours’ notice. The S.M. said it would bo inconvenient- for shipmasters if such vi.e the case.

Tho captain of the vessel : aid accused was articled in Auckland aijd would have to return there. He was ready to sail as soon as he got accused on hoard. Accused was sentenced to 7 days’ imprisonment, and was ordered to forfeit two days’ pay. An order was also made that- lie he put aboard his ship at noon. DRUNKENNESS.

William Smith was fined 10s, with costs 2s.

Geo. Burton, who had been remanded previously suffering from delirium tremens, pleaded not guilty to a charge of drunkenness on January 2Sth.—Constable Pratt gave evidence as to accused’s condition when taken to the Police Station. —Accused said that on the morning in question he had had only one drink. Ho was used to taking liquor, and his condition would have to be put down to somo other cause. —A fine of 10s, with costs 2s, was imposed, accused to nay medical expenses £1 16s 6d.