RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5315, 8 April 1878, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Satobdat, Apkil 6. (Before J. O. Crawford, Esq., E.M.) John Payne was fined ss. and costs for having been drunk and incapable on the previous day. I.UXACV. Anne Rosa was charged with being of unsound mind. Sergeant Smith stated that the unfortunate woman gave herself into the custody of the police the previous day, saying that if they did not take her into custody she would do something that would force them to do so. The husband of Mrs. Ross appeared in Court and stated that his wife was subject to fits of temporary, insanity, which were not caused by drink, but were produced by any unusual excitement. He promised to look, well after her, and she was discharged from custody. ALLEGED REFUSAL OJT DUTY. Frederick Rogah, .Charles O’Man, Henry McCormack, John Sloman, John Newman, and Charles Veney, articled seaman belonging to the steamer Taiaroa, were charged with refusing duty oh board that steamer. ' Mr. Gordon Allan appeared for the accused persons. W. R. Claridge, shipping clerk to Messrs; Levin & Co., agents for the Taiaroa; stated that the steamer arrived from .the North at 8,30 oh the previous evening, and it was absolutely necessary that she should proceed. South the same night. , The, defendants, who. were articled seamen on board the vessel, refused duty, and were given in': charge by the mate, but witness was the only one who could attend to give evidence, aa the steamer had gone away. The case was a teat one, and was brought for the purpose of seeing whether sailors could leave a vessel under such circumstances. -r

Mr Crawford sake 1 where the Taiaroa had gone to ? ■ :■ '-Witness : To Port Chalmers. Air. Crawford : You surely don't expect me to keep these men in gaol for a week until she comes back ? Witness': The men refused duty. Mr. Crawford : I must discharge the men. If people want their oases tried I must have their evidence.