MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2012, 5 August 1880, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

OHBIBTCHUEOH. Thubsday, August 5. [Before G. L. Mellisb, Esq., B.M.] DBTrNKENNESS —A firßfc offender was fined ss; Bobert Dunn was fined 10a ; and John Henry Simeock and John Edward Taylor, both old offenders, were each ordered to pay a penalty of 20j, in default, forty-eight hours imprisonment.

LYTTELTON. Thubsday, Attgtjst 5. [Before Joseph Beswick, Esq., B.M.]

The Basque Annabella.—Mr Nalder appeared for the vessel, and the Magistrate gave his decision. He said it appeared that no other course was open to him but to return the ship's articles to the master, the prosecution having yesterday unconditionally withdrawn from proceeding with the charges against the seamen. So far as the men getting a Court of Survey held, he regretted that every avenue appeared to be closed. In handing over the articles ho wcnild not wjsh it understood that he expressed any opinion as to the seaworthiness or otherwise of the vessel. The fact remained that the cffiial surveyors stated under oath that they had been afforded no opportunity to mako a thorough survey. Mr Nalder, to whom the articles were then handed, informed the Court that no other course was open under either ihe colonial Act or the home Act—the Plircßoll Act. Indeed, that Act was the same as the other, with the exception that it named the Board of Trade in placo of the Minister of Marine. Counsel spolco of the willingness of both the owners and agents to go to any expense, had it been ordered by the surveyors as necessary to be dons. The Court then rose.