RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5181, 30 October 1877, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Monday, October 29. (Before J. E. Smith and James Cruickshank, Bsqs., J.Ps.) DRUNKENNESS AND VAGRANCY. Eliza Gillies was charged with having been drunk and, incapable on Sunday afternoon. The prisoner pleaded for another chance, as she had friends in Melbourne and desired to go to them. Several previous convictions were recorded against her, but under the circumstances she was let off with a fine of 55., or 24 hours’ imprisonment. Eliza Wilson, an old offender, was charged with drunkenneis and vagrancy. She was ordered to be imprisoned for one month. FIGHTING. Angar Deen and John Rider were fined 10s. each, or 48 hours’ imprisonment, for fighting in the public streets on Sunday morning, The accused offered no defence. FORGERY. Arthur Barnsley was brought up on remand charged with having forged a money order for the sum of £lO, purporting to be sent from one J. Mills, Dunedin, to James Wilson, Wellington. Mr. Izard appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Crown, and applied for a remand, on the ground that Mr. Wardell, R.M., who had heard part of the evidence against prisoner when previously brought up, was not present, and it would be advisable that he should hear the whole ease; otherwise the Grown was quite prepared to go on with the case. The prisoner was remanded for eight days. BREACH OP MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT. Charles Quelch was charged by Captain Levack, of the Schiehallion, with having disobeyed orders on Satuaday last. Mr. Gordon Allan appeared for the defence. Captain Levack stated that the accused had been shamming sickness, and had done no work on board for the past fortnight. On Friday last Dr. Diver examined the accused, and gave a certificate that he was quite able to go to work. The accused had a sore finger, but the work he was asked to do would not have interfered with it. He had refused to act as night watchman on board the vessel. In cross-examination, witness stated that the accused, on the passage out, was locked up for a week for disobedience of orders. He was first put into a place that might have been used as a water-closet ; but the next clay another place was provided for him. The mate of the vessel corroborated the captain’s evidence. The accused stated that he had been treated very badly on board the vessel. On one occasion he had been put in a water-closet for seventeen hours without food, or a blanket to cover him. Inspector Atcheson did not give the captain of the Schiehallion a good character as to the treatment of his men. The Bench considered the charge of disobedience of orders proved, and sentenced the prisoner to fourteen days’ imprisonment, with hard labor.