FRACAS ON A STEAMER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18556, 14 November 1923, Page 7

FRACAS ON A STEAMER.

-__ : «*- ■ NEGRO FIREMAN'S OFFENCE. THE CAPTAIN ASSAULTED. : : \ negro, Norman Beetles, aged 23, a fireman on the steamer Trelevan, pleaded i i not guilty at the Police Court yesterday : \ » when charged before Mr. J. W. Poynton, ' I S.M., with having assaulter 13. J. Uren, , ' i captain of the vessel. /• j • ! Evidence was given by"t<?e captain and , J ! first officer that in consequence of an up 1 ! roar which proceeded from f°J*»»e*» ! miarters on Monday evening they invest!- ' Sated and found that the forecastle bore ' i l close resemblance to an fatter and it 'wag evident a pitched battle had been ; 5 w-urpd With the exception of tsecKies. » ! Combatants had retiredl to their bnrfj. ": ♦ „ „„r«« their wounds. The negro was ... • a,S up and down the forecastle m !US oF more victims. « Beckles was ■ Sped to the waist, and was teannjr ! around like a madman," said the chief > UK! When spoken to, he became ; ! threnteninc and a scuffle ensued. , ~ ' SenS-Sergeant Rawle said that accused :; I bad been responsible for a great deal of ! fighting among the firemen. .. ~,;.. ..... , I The magistrate invited the negro to ex.* j plain his conduct. • ' '- - * ; .1 Accused :I am not a good speaker. ; jK . , Mr. Poynton: This is not a Parliamen- ..... a i tary meeting. We want to hear your : ; I version of the affair. • ■ ''. ,r;. :.;, :»- Beckles rolled his eyes and plunged into. '.. | an excited story in which he repeatedly.'informed the Court that he was a .most .: docile and exemplary " darkie." His : t ferocious expressions seemed to belie ha words, -and the magistrate remarked that , . he would be safer in Mourvt Eden. Beckles ', protested vociferously. • i •Mr. Poynton: We do not want a fight in" man like you in New Zealand, but': v >r t you can do 14 days in. Mount Eden ana : . then rejoin your ship. ; '■'?■" ■ ■ ■■■' '/■:"'■ ,--":" Accused: I want a solicitor; I want to"'■•">... appeal. ' • . ■'■::■-''':*■'■ :-"•". V:'V Mr. Poynton: You are toe late yoaj'p^V must go to gaol. ■ " -.".-. ;:- : >