RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5406, 25 July 1878, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

’ Wednesday, July 21. (Before T..A. Hansford, Esq., R.M.) TIIE ELIZABETH AGAIN, , , Robert Crosbie, the chief officer of the ‘ barque Elizabeth, was summoned by the captain for absenting himself from the vessel on the 23rd inst. without leave. ' Mr. Travers appeared for, the master, and Mr. Gordon Allan for the defendant. , - Mr. Travers, in opening his base, said thqt after the case against the master heard yesterday (Tuesday), the master ordered the mate on board the vessel to his duty. He said he would go as soon as he had had some dinner. The master went on board shortly afterwards, and found that the mate had not returned. - Robert Soutar, master of the barque Elizabeth, deposed that he was yesterday (Tuesday) summoned by the mate for assaulting him.— At tho conclusion of tho case, ■ witness told the mate to go on board the ship. The mate ' said he would when he had had bis dinner. Witness went bn board at 2 o’clock,'but the" mate was not there. Witness then came ashore, and returned to the ship again. at 6 v o’clock, and found tho mate still absent. Ho did not see him until 8 o’clock that (Wednesday) morning. To the best of witness’s belief " the mate was not on board all night.; He came alongside the ship, but never came on board or asked for witness. Cross-examined : Was never told that he (accused) tried to get aboard, but could not got a boat to pull off. '• Mr. Allan said that the mate had no intention to absent bimself from his duty. ' . : The accused said that after tho Court case the captain ordered him to go. aboard the

" ship.' Ho (accused)'' replied that he would after ho had a bit of lunch. Tried to find the captain; but.could not,, Went on board the shiff, and asked the* steward if* he had any provisions* and was told there was none. Cam©': on shore again for tea," as the tea on bgard was not fit to drink, half of it being mad£ with salt water. Could, not find the captain, and stopped"ashore ■ all night. Went oh beard H.M.S. Nympho this morning.and Consulted the commander ns to what course be (accused) should take with regard to the blow on his eye inflicted by the master. ; ' His Worship thought that as there was an 111-feeling between the parties if would be advisable for the captain to give the mate his . discharge. . . ' - • “ ; The captain said he was quite willing. .The mate, however, refused to take it, stating that he had just received some letters from Home which prohibited him from doing so. : His Worship then ordered the accused on board the vessel. • ' Before leaving ■ the Court the mate said there were no provisions on-board the vbssel. Ho could not get os much as a piece of soft bread to make a poultice for his eye.