A CAPTAIN IN TROUBLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 1651, 4 August 1881, Page 6

A CAPTAIN IN TROUBLE.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. Two interesting cases came before the R.M. Court in civil jurisdiction this morning, in which Captain Alexander, of the barque , Mary Low, which recently arrived from London, appeared as defendant. The first was an action by a youth named Lenson to recover £1 Jos, money entrusted to the hands of the captain. The evidence went to show that Lenson was discovered two or three days after the vessel left port, concealed in the bowsprit, which was hollow, and made of iron. In his possession was found a sum of 2os, which, according to the plaintiff, he handed to the captain, on the latter promising to return it at the end of the voyage, and for the remainder of the trip Lenson worked with the port watch, performing his duties in a satisfactory manner. Judgment was given for the amount claimed. The other action was instituted to recover £o damages for assault alleged to have been committed by the captain upon a steerage passenger named Albert Harry Niccolls during the voyage to Wellington. The plaintifl'stated that during the passage he was asked by his fellow passengers to wait on the captain to complain of the manner in which their food was served out. On doing so, an altercation ensued, and the captain seized hold of his shoulder, and placed him below in irons for two or three houre. For the defence it was represented that this step was requisite for the purpose of preserving order on board the vessel, Nieeolls conducting himself in a defiant manner. The magistrate fixed the damages at £10, and ordered the captain to pay costs.