RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Thursday, May 22.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 162, 23 May 1862, Page 5

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Thursday, May 22.

(Before A. C. Strode, Esq., It. M.) Vagrancy.—Ann Dunbar was charged with having no lawful or visible means of support. She hail been committed for seven days' imprisonment on the 2(>th April, tlie 12th May, and yesterday slie was only discharged from gaol. The apprehending constable stated that he found the prisoner going up Walkerstreet in a state of intoxication accompanied by a number of men who were pulling her about The Bench remarked that this woman got her living in a most improper manner, that she was a well-known character; and that the best thing to do with her would be to take care of her. The woman said her husband had gone to Victoria, to have some deeds of property executed. His Worship committed her to imprisonment with hard labor for the term of one month. Dkunk.—Alexander Kilgour, for this offence, was fined 20s, or in default sentenced to 48 hours' imprisonment. Another charge was preferred against this man by constable William Connell, for uttering obscene and abusive language in Rattray-street yesterday. Mr. Inspector Weldon stated that the language complained of was not of such a very gross character, and the accused was therefore acquitted on this charge. Nuisance.—Mr. James Nimon, Inspector of Nuisances, reported that in the charge against J. S. Raphael the nuisance had been abated. The Bench dismissed the case. The business of the Court terminated in a. few niinutes. Testino Anohohs and Cables.—The loss of the Royal Charter, and the circumstances attending that oatastrophe, originated a discussion respecting the testing of ground tackle, in which we took an active part, and which resulted in the appointment of a Parliamentary committee to investigate the subject. That committee reported, and made some very valuable practical suggestions, to which wo invited _attion at the time, when the_ subject seemed to sink into abeyance. The discussions referred to, however, have not been without their result in another direction. The question of testing anchors and cables has been taken up by the committee of Lloyd's Registrar ot ..British and Foreign Shipping, and certain resolutions have been passed regulating, according to a fixed scale, the weight of anchors, the length and size of chains/ and the proof strain to which both auchors and chains must be subjected, in order to qualify vessels to be placed henceforth upon Lloyd's register. By these new regulations it has been settled amongst other things, that "the recognition of the test for chain cables known as the ' ordinary' or ' merchant' proof, shall be discontinued, and that all new ships be required to be supplied with vb tins which have been submitted to a proof strain equal to that known as the 'admiralty test.!" A ship of 500 tons must henceforth, if classed in Lloyd's register, be provided with three bower anchors—one stream and two kedges. Two of the bowers taken together must not be of less weight than 23 cwt., and must each be capable of beaiinga proof strain of 23| tons. She must have, besides, hawsers and warps ot prescribed length and sizes, 270 fathoms of 1 7-16 inch chain tested up to 37 2-10 tons, or 1 5-16 inch chain, if tested up to 40 9-10 tons. For a 1000 ton ship th? bower^anchors are require.! to be (any two of them) 36 i-VTt., to be proved up to 33J tons. The chain for a ship of 1000 tons must be 300 fathoms of 1 12-16 inch, proved up to 55 1-10 tons, or 1 10-16 inch chain to 60 6-10 tons. These regulations, so far as they relate to the weight of anchors, will come into force, as a rule, at the end of six mouths from the 23rd of last month, but the regulations respecting the testing- of anchors and chain cables will not be enforced till the Ist of January, 1863; In discussing-, this question of a chain and anchor test, we have always maintained that the onus of testing- should be east, not upon the shipowner, but upon the chain or anchor maker. Theresoluri >ns adopted by Lloyd's Registrar Committee will effect this object inthe end, for since it has been made imperative that ships classed in Lloyd's register shall carry anchors nnd chains of " Admir.tlty test," none others will lie purchased by the shipowner requiring classification, who will, of course, see that the manufacturer supplies him with the proper articles. It will be for the manufacturer,, therefore, to get his chains and anchors tested before he cm execute an order for such shipowner for the supply of ground tackle. ■ -Mitchell's Maritime Register. .*Tiie Queen's Visit to Balmoral.—We , understand that, as at present intended, the Queen will go to Balmoral this season on or about the Ist May, and make a stay of a month. Arrangements to this end will soon be made at the Highland Palace. — Court Journal. Mr. Spurgeon's sermons are being translated into German as fast as he preaches them. — Patriot. The new shield ship-will cost £170,000. She will be 2,500 tons, draw only 10 feet, and make 12J knots. -^Scotsman.