PORT CHALMERS POLICE COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 7957, 12 July 1889, Page 4

PORT CHALMERS POLICE COURT.

Wednesday, July 10.

(Before Messrs A. Thomson and J, Morgan, J.P.s.) Disobedience or Commands. The adjounu d ctse against John O'Shannsy for disubnlience of commands on board the Caitloch on May 29, while on a voyage from London to this port, was resumed on Wednesday afternoon. George Nelson remembered on one occasion after taking in tho foretopsail that the captain called O’Shanasy aft, but he could not remojnber tho d-ito. O’Shanasy had been called aft on several occasions during the passage.— R. Olsten stated that on the day O’Shanasy was called aft witness, with Nelson and accused, had been hauling on the down line together. After they had taken in the slack the captain sang out to them, but they oould not haul in any more until the yard was lowered, when others of the crow came and lent a hand. After the sail was furled the captain called O’Shanasy aft, and witness heard words but took no notice of what was said as he was otherwise engaged. Witness had never known accused to refuse duty.— J, Kelly remembered May 29. Owing to a heavy gale on that day he was a’oft furling the topsail, and while aloft noticed O’Shanasy and others hauling at the down line. When he came down the captain and O’.shanasy wero aft, and as they were having words witness and a man named Frank walked aft, Tho captain then jumped down from tho p.op, placed his hands behind his back, and asked u’Sbanasy to strike him. Witness considered that O’Shanasy had always done his duty.—Frank Druser corroborated the last witness's statement, and added that part of the crew had several times gone aft to complain to tho captain of their quarters. He did not hear what was said when O’Shanasy was first called aft, as he could not distinguish the words while aloft.—Mr Thomson eaid the Bench were of opinion that tho evidence was not sufficiently clear to convict, and they therefore dhmissed tho case. Samuel A. T>t Grace;/, another seaman, pleaded guilty to a similar charge on July 8, and was ordered to forfeit two days’ pay, together with 7s costs.

Thursday, July 11, (Before Messrs W. Elder and J. Morgan, J.P.s.) Disobedience of Lawful Commanps.Samuel A. Lc Oraccy was charged with disobedience of lawful commaads on board the ship Caitloch on the 10th inst.—Accused pleaded guilty. Captain Dornon said -hat after accuied was taken on board the ship the previous afternoon he refused duty, and stated that ho would do no more work on board the ship, making use at tho same time of most insulting and indecent language to both witness and Mrs Dornon.—ln answer to the Bench, accused said ho had no question to ask the captain.—Mr Elder said that this was the second time accused had pleaded guilty. Yesterday the Bench dealt very leniently with him, and when taken on board, instead of returning to his work, he again refused, making use of the most abusive language, which could not be tolerated. He would bo sentenced to four weeks’ imprisonment, with hard labor, Captain Dornon to have the option of taking him out of gaol when the ship was ready for sea.