THE FEMALE IMMIGRANT AND THE SHIPMATE.

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1742, 3 August 1874, Page 2

THE FEMALE IMMIGRANT AND THE SHIPMATE.

The following is a report from the Auckland Star of a caie heard in the Eesident Magistrate's Court on Wednes-

day:—•

ASSAULT,

James Farrell wa3 charged with assaulting George Joseclyne with ajtoma* hawk on th? 26th July, and doing him grievous bodily, harm on board the brig Syren, in .Auckland harbour. .. > . George Joiecljne, an immigrant by the Miltiados, deposed that on coming on shore he met prisoner in. Queeu-i.treet, who, appearing to be a jolly iort, invited him to take coffees with him. He went with him accordingly and < had a cup ./of mocha of the street vendor. This was all very good, and he paid for the coSee They next got a bottle of brandy, which did all the mischief. • They met with a nice young lady, and all three went together to the Syren, where the living syijen charmed them with two or three songs, and helped them to diminish ■' the brandi^ They were overcome, and the lady retirq^ with him to prisoner's bunk, where they fell asleep. . He was awoke by prisoner who wanted to fight,and they had » round up above. As he was likely to be bested he rushed up the companion ladderj when prisoner aimed blows at him with.a tomahawk, and cut through 1 his trousers, and injured his great toe. He went and had his toe dressed.

>' His Worship remarked that immigration was making a melancholy addition to the community; and it -would'be well if the Government would send a few thousands back.

The prisoner. wai angry, because he would not go" and leave the woman' behind.. Of course he could not do that. Mr:* Laishley, who appeared for tn« prisoner, had no question to.ask. < „-. «. Maria Goldie, a niodest'looking woman dressed in mourning,- came out by the Miltiades. She remembered Saturday evening last, whrn she was yin company with prosecutor, an old shipmate. ■ His Worship : You jay you arc a married woman. Where is your husband ? Witness: In Court,sir. '„ ;,"/ .

His Worship: He must be highly gratified at what he heard. Witness continued : She had something to drink with prosecutor, and went to the Syren with him and sat down in the bunk. Prisoner came to the side of the berth and wanted to take advantage of her, when the row began. She screamed, when Jos-; celvne woke, and the two men had a , sharp set-to. She tried to escape, but j could not get out. She sat down at the | foot of th« stairs and wept over the scene.' j She saw the prisoner strike Joscelyne three times with the tomahawk. Josceylne then went and got his toe- dressed.Detective Ternahan gave evidence as to his arresting the prisoner on the charge of wounding prosecutor with the tomahawk. Jk* made no reply. He produced tho Bnahawk. ' - [Dr. Arnott, surgeon on board the ueen of Nations, deposed to prosecutor's; wounds. He found three wounds on the shins, which had been cut through the trbusers, and a wound on the toe, such as a tomahawk; wonld cause. To> MrrLaishley: The wound* were pot ■erioiis, but' superficial; they might be; healed in a fortnight. ■ 1 Mr. Laishley addressed the Court, andsaid that it was not a case to be sent to a' higher, Court as no jury would convict. Therei faults on both sides, and the; wounds':'were evidently of a trivial nature. He would therefore submit that the; ' present information be withdrawn, and laid under the 30fch section of the Justice of the Peace Act, asa common assault, as it was not shewn that prisoner committed an indictable offence. His Worship'said that if the <i e posi-: tkns warranted a committal thero was no; avoiding it.. He regretted to say that these offences were becoming too prevalent, and-"should..be dealt with severely. He considered that the Court would not be doing its duty to the public if it did not commit him. Mr Laishley said that the captain was in Court, and was prepared to go into the witness-box, and speak in favor of pri■oner's character. He would also take the prisoner to sea if such a course were possible. His Worship suggested that the captain should take the prosecutor and woman as well,'for the benefit of the colony. Mr Broham remarked that it would be a consummation devoutly to be wished. The captain, shook his head;with a solemn aw. % Hei could not be responsible for female sailors. He spoke in favor of Erisoner, who hadbeen steward on board is vessel,; and was a most inoffensive

man. The depositions of the witnesses were then read-^ver, and the prisoner committed for trial at the next criminal sittings of the Supreme Court.