POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2489, 16 March 1878, Page 3

POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

(Before Colonel Nation (chair), and Johu Cosgrave Esq., J. P. 's. SAILORS AS HOKE. Escaped the ocean and the tempest's roar, The happy sailors frolicked ou the shore. Three sailors, Thomas Jenkins, John Foreman, and Even George, were charged with breaches of the Act, by being absent without leave from the British ship Chasca on the 15th inst.

The men pleaded guilty. Captain Whitworth stated the simple facts of the case. The men left their work, went ashore without leave, and got drunk. They were well-behaved during the voyage. Sub-Inspector Pardy said there had been a general outbreak among the sailors since they had been ashore, as well as broaching of cargo. Jenkins said he went on shore for a few nails, and got drunk. Foreman went on shore for a monkey-jacket, and got drunk ; whilst George, according to his statement, went ashore for a good breakfast, and the brandy took effect on him. Three weeks' imprisonment with hard labour.

John Braggar and John- Williams were charged with being absent without leave from the ship Chile, on the 15th inst. Mr A.E. Whitaker appeared for Captain Ward. The men pleaded guilty, but made excuses for their absence. Three weeks' imprisonment with hard labour.

BROACHING CARGO,

Edward Baker and Henry Landbergh were charged with stealing several bottles of gin, brandy, and Madeira wine, the property of Captain Ward, of the ship Chile. Prisoners pleaded not guilty. Mr Whitaker opened the case. Francis Ward, commandei, deposed that on Wednesday last, he found the prisoners sprawling drunk. He looked over this offence and allowed the men to sleep in the forecastle, but on Thursday they were drunk all day, and yesterday morning they were rolling drunk before breakfast. He considered they had been broaching cargo, and on searchihg he found a quantity of empty gin and brandy bottles. He was 15 bottles of gin short. One of the prisoners was caught with a bottle of Madeira in his hand.

The second mate deposed to meeting Landsberg with a bottle of Madeira, trying to hide it behind him. On going intotho hold he missed a number of bottles. The men were continually drunk. The Bench considered the case proved, and sentenced the prisoners to three month's imprisonment without hard labour, and to pay the damage. A BAD BOY. Thomas Walsh, a boy of 14, was charged with stealing a boat, the property of some person at present unknown. Sub-Inspector Pardy informed the Court that the boy had recently been sent up from luvercargill to the Training School, and had learned that prisoner was a notorious young thief; had committed petty , larcenies on the steamer on her way up, and owing to his proclivities, never ought to have been

sent to the training ship. He would ask for a remand until Monday, in order that the owner of the boat mioht be found, and Captain Breton be present. The case was remanded -ccordingly. This was all the business.