LYTTELTON.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4204, 18 January 1879, Page 5 (Supplement)

LYTTELTON.

WbdsbscAt, Jant/abt 15th. [Before H. B. Webb and H. Allwright, ■ Esqs., J.P.'s] ' Crvrt Business.—-J. Hunter V Buller, claim £11 5s llfcd, balance of account. Judgment for plaintiff by default, with 15s costs.

Fbidat, Januabt 17.

[Before Dr. Donald, H. B. Webb, Esq., and

H. Allwright, Esq, J.P'a.] Lcnacy -fbom Dbtkk.—Archibald Lamont, a laborer, on remand from Asbburton, haviDg recovered, was discharged with a reprimand. Befttbai to "Wobx.—John Williams, an A.B. belonging to the borquentine Ebenezer, was charged with refusing to sorape down the mast of the vessel at the bidding of Captain Milne and his chief officer Francis Carrol. Mr Nalder for the prosecution. Accused complained of being ill at the time, but the master staled that prisoner had been examined by a doctor tbe day before or after he had refused to work, and was declared in perfect health. Mr Nalder called the attention of the Bench to the trouble shipmasters were put to at present in the Port by the continual deserting of their crews, and asked that the prisoner be dealt with in :■ an exemplary manner- He .was sentenced to seven days with hard labour, the Bench ordering that costs and a counsel fee of" 21s be paid from the wages due to him. .' ■ • ' A Dbsbbtion—Assault Cask.—This was a.case iv which a seaman belonging to the barque Examiner was charged by Captain Sequltar, her master, witb. desertion. There bsipg a counteraction brought .by the seaman against the" captain for assault, the two were by consent of counsel combined and tried together. Mr H. N. Nalder appeored for Captain Scoullar, and Mr Joyce for the sailor. In support of his charge of desertion, the master testified that the prisoner John Trot on tbe December, when ordered to man tbe windlass refused to da so, and subsequently jumped overboard," making his escape to the ship Hurunui. In his cross-examination he said that on the day in question the seaman had been ashore to see a doctor, from whom he had received a certificate stating that he was unfit to go to sea. The certificate was given to witness by the = prisoner. It was from ' Dr. Bouse. As against this medical opinion he (witness) had taken ttae|«c a van to Dr. Bennett, who assured him that tbe man Was well enough to do his work. Testimony Was.introduced by Trot, from tbe mate, the cook and one or two of the hands to the effect that the captain had ill-used him, and that the latter had jumped overboard in a moment of excitement and fear. The Bench gave judgment against the captain for £1 and full osts.

Civil CASES.T-West y Wilts, master, of the s.s. Tui, claim £7, iat one month's "wages. ,-Mr Nalder. for plaintiff, Mr. Joyce for defendant. ' The evidence'showed that plaintiff, was engaged on board by tbe month, but some Words occurring between him and the mate; he left the vessel, or was ordered ashore after working only ten days. Captain' Wills Was ready to pay for that proportion of a month's wages. ; Judgment was given accordingly, amount £2 16s, and costs.