A GRAVE CHARGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2159, 7 April 1908, Page 3

A GRAVE CHARGE.

STEAMER OFFICER IN TROUBLE. Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 6. Richard Dyason, chief officer'of the IT.S.S. Co.’s Navua, appeared at the police court to-day to/answer to a charge of attempted criminal assault. Evidence was given by tho alleged victim that ho attempted to persuade her to go aboard the vessel on Sunday evening, March 29, but rn her refusal he dragged her up ilie *>■ in«/way, along tho dock, and ui) tv.o Ms of stairs, to his cabin, where the alleged attempt was made. Too o-irl contended that sho was strugulim' and erving out tho whole tune, and "that he'threatened t 0 throw her overboard if she did not keen (|Ui2rK videnco was given by a foreman «ji wharf laborers that accused lulniitteri to him next day that a nice girl came t (l see him on Sunday evening, hut tint she had refused Ins proposals. Another witness for the .prosecution, a wharf laborer, who was on the forward deck, said lie saw accused and a indv come along the wharf together and I*o on board in a friendly manner, ‘and up to the officer’s cabin. Tbero was no suggestion of lorce, and no screams were heard from the cabin. Sergeant Ramsay said when arresting accused ho said there must be a mistake, as he was visiting some friends at Devonport at that time on the day in question. The ease was adjourned until to-morrow morn-