MAGISTERIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2110, 8 February 1908, Page 1

MAGISTERIAL.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7. , (Bolero Mr. W. A. Burton, S. M.) ALLEGED DAMAGE TO A STEAMER. James Campbell was charged with having on January 3"lst done wilful damage to the Union Steamship Go’s steamer Tuntea, Dotcetivo Maddern conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Bright appeared for accused. Wesley Johnston, engineer of the Tuntea, said that accused was working as stokor and fireman on tho Tuatr.t from January Ith to 31st. Accused was discharged for drun'kennes,-. Witness left tho steamer sligth'y after 3 p.m. on January 30th, leaving everything safe, the fires being banked. Locked the door leading to tho engine-room and retained the k.>y. The only other way to got to the room was by the skylight, which was securely locked. When witness left tho steamer he went forward to to lock tho forecastle door and found accused in his bunk. Accused was asleep, and seemed under the inlluouco of liquor. Returned to the steamer about 7.50 p.m. Unlocked the engine-room door. Saw a light shining from tho furnace and a man crouching with his hand on tho cock on the [.condenser chamber. Founclthe.mnn'-tft-.be accused. Accused said lie had come for some of his clothes. "Witness accused him of tampering with tho fires and the condenser cock. Ordered accused oft' the boat, and as he left

accused struck witness in tho face. If tho eondonsor coc’k had been left open the ■ condenser would have been emptied, and the firo being lighted tho boiler would have been emptied and perhaps badly injured. Camo back to the steamer about 9 o’clock with a constable. Before going homo locked the door and skylight of tho engine-room. Did not then examine the engines. At 4 a.m. on February Ist went on board, and made examination of all the bearing. Found a quantity of emery powder sprinkled on the bearings and working parts of the engines, and in tho oil cups and thrust box. Some small coal had Deen put in the dynamo and tho comutator bad boon smeared with oil. At 7.45 on Friday when witness went aboard, tho fires had been pushed back and tho damper opened to admit the air and make them burn.

John H. Ilawkcs, captain, said tho emery powder on the bearings seemed to have been spread in a hurry. If it had been spread carefully it would not have been so noticeable. He gave ovidenco of having seen the stato of the engine-room on February Ist. Charles Neils, acting mate, said that when lie left tho boat at 7.30 on Friday accused was sitting on bis bunk. Everything was securo and there was no smoke coming from tho chimnev Constable Tail slid lie arrested accused on January 31st. Searched accused after arrest and found in tho left-hand coat pocket a quantity of small coal and coal-dust. The pocket was nearly full. Accused reserved his defence, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial, bail being allowed—accused in £IOO and two sureties of £SO, or ono of £IOO. FIRE "WITHIN THE BOROUGH. John Connor was fined os, with costs 7s, for having lighted a firo within tho Borough without permission from the Town Clerk. The S.M. said the fine was a light ono in view of the fact that no damage had been done; but the lighting of fires in view of the present dryness of everything was a dangerous practice. DRUNKENNESS. Geo. Miller was fined 10s costs2s, for drunkenness, having been once previously convicted within tho past six months. John Siddels was fined £2, with costs 2s, in default 7 days’ imprisonment, for a second offence within six months. Minnie Green was fined 10s, with costs 2s. ALLEGED LUNACY. Martin Hoben was dismissed on a charge of lunacy, two medical men having certified that ho was in a fit state to be released. VAGRANCY. Martin Iloben was charged with having insufficient lawful means of support. Sergeant "Williams gave evidence that on the 4th inst ho received a message from he Rimuroa station, stating that accused was making himself objectionable. He was arrested' and confined on a charge of lunacy. Ho refused to clean up his coll. He said he bad walked from Auckland, and that ho had done no work for two months. Asked how ho made his living he said, “I just go round.” Constable Pratt stated that about 2 o’clock on the 4th inst ho and Constable Scott were sent out to Rihuroa station, a message having been received that accused hacl acted rather strangely towards Mrs. Calcott. "While she was making some tea for him accused acted indecently, causing Mrs. Calcott to faint. Accused was put off the premises by Mr. Calcott and was arrested on the road to Gisborne. In conversation accused said bo never worked—lie was not a nigger, and could live on other people without working. The S.M. said it was evident accused should not be at large. He would be sentenced to throe months’ imprisonment with hard labor.