POLICE COURT.-SATURDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 17, 21 December 1863, Page 3

POLICE COURT.-SATURDAY.

[Before Tiios. Rr.'Kitui, F..5.)., P..M.] BREACH OF THE " TJiJSTI.E ACT, ISoS." John Smith was charged by Francis C. Lewis, Inspector of Thisth's, with being guilty, of a breach of the Thistle Act. 18.35, by not eradicating thistles growing in his land, alter receiving due notice so to The defendant was fined Is. and costs, on condition that he would return and destroy them immediately. DRVSKBSXESS AM) ASSAULT OX HOARD THE ' QI'EEN" 01' THK MF.USKY.' "William Harris, a seaman belonging to the ' Queen of the Mersey,' and who had only completed his term of imprisonment, for disobedience to orders on board the same vessel, was again brought up and charged with being drunk and assaulting the chief officer of the ' Queen of the Mersey,' whilst in the execution of his duty. Prisoner was convicted on the evidence of the cliief officer, and sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment with hard labour. stmuaxo trom nt'TV. .Tames "Manic was charged by Captain Mitchell, of the ship 'Green Jacket,' with being snidty of continued wilful disobedience to orders since the 'JOtli of Septembcar last. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Captain Samuel Mitchell, sworn, stated: I am master of the ship ' Green Jacket,' now lying in the Port of Auckland. Prisoner is able bodied seamau belonging to the said ship. On the 20th September he laid up, and complained of being unwell, anil has been oif work ever since. I have often tried to get hint to work, hut hifi reply ".vas I am not well enough yet. Ho was attended by the doctor every day. The chief officer ordered him to his work repeatedly. I myself asked him if he was going to his work yesterday, and he refused. I read the entries in the

•S. Ram, sworn, deposed: lam surgeon on board the 1 Green Jacket.' I know tho prisoner, he was a seaman on hoard. T have attended him mure than any one in the ship. I did not think there was much the matter with him from the very first. Oil the 20tli September he repotted himself sick, arid I attended him for a sprained wrist, caused through lighting. Next duy he complained ol' diarrhoea. Prisoner made himself artificially ill to shirk work. I am curtain ho way fit l'or duty on the 16th instant. Tlio certificate in the lot? is written by mo.

Cross-examined by prisoner: I never told you that VOu were lit for dutv, because it was not in}' place.

I told the captain that I had discharged you, and refused to attend you for some days prior to our arriving in Auckland.

Remanded till Monday, (this day) in order to hear the evidence of the chief officer.