TWO STRANGE CASES.

West Coast Times, Issue 3846, 5 August 1881, Page 2

TWO STRANGE CASES.

Wellington, August 4. Two interesting cases came before the R..M. Court in civil jurisdiction this morning, in which Captain Alexander, of the barque Mary Low which recently arrived from London, appeared as defendant. The first was an action by a youth named Lenson, for £1 59, money entrusted to the hands of the captaiu. The evidence went to show that Leuson was discovered two or three days after the vessel left portj concealed in the bowsprit which was hollow, and made of iron. In his possession was found the sum of £1 ss, which according to plaiutiff, he handed to the captain on the latter promising to return it at the end ot the voyage. For the remainder of tbe trip Lenson worked with the port watch, performing his duties in a satisfactory manner. Judgment was given for the amount claimed. The other actioa was instituted to recover £50 damages for assault, alleged to have been committed by the captaia upon a steerage passenger, named Albert Harry Mickolls. Duriug the voyage to Wellington, plaintiff states he was asked by his fellow passengers to wait ou the captain, to complain of the manner in which their food was served out. On doing BJ, an altercation ensued, and the captain seized hold of his shoulder, add placsd him below in irons for two or three hours. For the defence it waa represented ' that this stop was requisite for the purpose of preserving order oa board the vessel,' Nickoll's conducting himself in a defiant manner. The Magistrate fixed the damages at £10 and ordered the captain to pay costs.