BESIDE NT MAGISTEATES' COURT, LYTTELTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 72, 22 May 1852, Page 3

BESIDE NT MAGISTEATES' COURT, LYTTELTON.

May 17 th, 1852. ,(Be fore Captain Simeon.) Richard Warren charged with refusing to join the ship "William Prowse," having engaged, to serve, and received an advance. Mr. Le Cren—l am agent for the " William Prowse," and authorized by the Captain to prosecute Wavren. On May 12th, Warren, who had previously signed articles, came on shore in obedience to a summons—lie did not again join the ship. On May loth, I gave him into custody; the Ship was in Port an entire day, during which the prisoner might have joined. The prisoner being asked what he had to say, said he did not join the Ship because he would have been taken out again for debt had he done so. To be imprisoned 12 weeks, with hard labour. (Before Messrs. Cookson and Fitzgekald.) May 18th. Frost v. Presley and Presley —Jane Frost sworn: Last Thursday I went out from my house to drive the chickens in. Presley asked who I was calling devils—l replied I was speaking to my children ; he said " get off the path you dirty bundle"—l refused; he assaulted and kicked me ; Mrs. Presley flew at me, and tore my bonnet off. I said nothing to provoke Presley beyond saying I would not go off the path ; I was not on his garden ground ; Mrs. P. broke my bonnet before I tore her cap. Charlotte Loder corroborated the above—did not see Mrs. Frost tear Mrs. Presley's cap off first, nor scratch Presley's face. Hester Clarkson saw the parties fighting— Presley was throwing brickbats at Mrs. Frost's fowls ; saw Mrs. Frost throw a lump of dirt at Presley. Ann Witton heard Presley abuse Mrs. Frost; the parties had a fight—Mrs. Presley struck complainant first. Henry Presley, in his defence, stated—l asked Mrs. Frost to keep the fowls off my garden ; she called me a devil, and said she would not; I threatened to kill them ; she called me an " ugly looking devil," and threatened to kill me. Susannah Presley corroborated her husband ; Mrs. Frost struck and scratched him; afterwards scratched me. W. Bennett saw the row—Mrs. Frost struck first, and tore Mrs. Presley's cap off first. D. Diamond saw the women fighting ; Presley said to his wife " go on" while she was fighting: they were pulling each other's hair when I first saw them. The magistrates fined Henry Presley £], and Susannah Presley 10s. with costs. (Before the Resident Magistbate.) Hay 19th. Thomas Tap, seaman, was charged by Capt. Clarke of the " Stag" with continued disobedience to orders, and threatening to stab the chief officer. In his defence—said lie had a "drop too much" when the mate assaulted him. To be imprisoned 12 weeks with hard labour. Two Chinese seamen belonging to the " William Prowse" left their Ship, and found their way over to Christehurch on a day of the Magistrates' meeting. They went before the Magistrates, but could speak few words of English. "Big Ship" and "Discharge," gave a clear intimation of their wishes. Captain Williams of the "William Prowse" afterwards offered the police a reward of 255. a-head for the apprehension of these men. A policeman apprehended them, placed them in the Lock-up, and delivered them to Captain Williams, tvithout taking them before a magistrate. The policemen's receipt for 50s- for two seamen, savours too much of the pressgang system, although the Chinese in question had clearly no right to leave the " William Prowse."