A SERIOUS CHARGE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6488, 7 April 1908, Page 6

A SERIOUS CHARGE

AGAINST A SHIP’S OFFICER. PEEKS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, April 6. Richard Dyason, chief officer of the U.S.S. Company’s Navas, appeared at the Police Court to-day to answer a charge of attempted criminal assault. Evidence was given by tho alleged victim that accused attempted to persuade her to go aboard tho vessel on Sunday evening, March 29th, but on her refusal ho dragged her up the gangway, along the deck and up two flights of stairs, to his cabin, where the attempt w-as made. The girl contended that she was struggling and crying out the whole time, and that he threatened to throw her overboard if she did not keep quiet. Evidence was also given by a foreman of wharf labourers, who said accused admitted to him neat day that a nice girl came to see him on Sunday evening, but that she had refused his proposals. Another witness for the prosecution, » wharf labourer, who was on the forward deck, said ho saw accused and a lady come along the wharf together, and go on board in a friendly manner, and up to the officer's cabin. There was no suggestion of force, and no screams were heard from the cabin. Sergeant Ramsay said that when arresting accused ho said that there must be a mistake, as he was visiting some friends at Devonport at that time on the day in question. The case was adjourned till to-morrow morning. ■