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Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1138, 21 March 1872, Page 2

The steamers Waipara and Charles Edward left Greymouth for Hokitika early yesterday morning, both having a number of passenger^ the majority of whom had been excursionists to Greymcuth for the purpose of witnessing the races. The Murray also left with some of the visitors from Westport. The sentence of a month's imprisonment passed upon Captain Collard forthe loss of tho Sussex, created a great sensation both in the court and the city. In the court the finish of the judgment took the crowd of eager listeners completely^ by surprised Members of the Steam Navigation arid the Pilot Boards gave evidence that they oon« • sidered Captain Collard still a careful navigator, but the victim of a pardonable mistake, and Judge Barry dwelt at some length upon the fact that Captain Collard had been "severely smitten" already. The Judge alluded also to bis option of inflicting a fine, and said that imprisonment would fall' with far'greater heaviness upon Captain Collard than most men. His Honor added that be was convinced a "criminal intention" could not be imputed to the defendant, and that any negligence on his part was not of an extreme character. After these remarks a nominal sentence was expected, and when the worda "imprisonment in her Majesty's j gaol for' one calendar month" fell, there was ' a deep silence, only broken by the soba of some agitated listener.