PORT CHALMERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3860, 1 July 1874, Page 3

PORT CHALMERS.

(Before Dr O'Donoglme, J. r\, and Dr Drysdale, A Double Charge.—G. Towsey, a small young man, who discovered the most abject penitence whilst in dock, was charged, on the information of Sergeant Neil, with having conducted. himself in an unseemly manner whilst under the influence of drink, on Monday evening He was also charged with having violently assaulted the arresting constable.

Defendant pleaded tipsyness, and that he remembered nothing of what occurred. He was extremely sorry, and hoped their Worships would deal leniently with him.

Sergt. Neil and Mr Brebner deposed to the menousneas of the defendant's conduct; he was very drunk and violent. Three men were required to take him to the lock-up. He rushed the constables.

Defendant pleaded hard for mercy. He was the cook of the ship William Davie, and had come ashore on the holiday. All the hands had h id a glass of grog because their ship's boat won the race that day. He had not lieen sisliore siace 2oth of last month, and bid drank too h uch. He had good testimonials from' the last ship he hud served in.

■The Bench, read him a lecture, and hail no

doubt about Ilia guilt, but in consideration of his penitence, and that the day on which the offence was committed wis a holiday, lie would be dismissed. Defendant bowed most humbly, and left the dock.

A Young Noodle.— F. llamsay, a youth of exceedingly juvenile appearance belonging to the ship Win. Davie, was ch;ug( d with having attempted to rescue the former defendant from the Police on Monday night. Defendant pleaded ST( t guilty, inasmuch that the Police weie in plain clothes, and therefore unrecognisable as constables.

Se/geant Feil deposed to the defendant seizing f owsuy round the wa sfc and trying to drag him from the Police, vowing at the'same time that he should not he locked lip. Me followed Towsey to the lock-up, and was there arrested. Mr Brebner and another witness corroborated the Sergeant's evidence.

Defendant was very sovry.; if ho had known the men were constables, he would not have done what lie did, but lie was trying to get his shipmate on hoard. In reply to the Bench, Sergeant Neil said he was iv plain clothes on the night in question. The Bench pointed out to the defendant how seriously he had committed himself, perhaps unwillingly. In consideration of his extreme youth and evident inexperien-e, he would" be discharged with a caution.

dergeant Neil remarked.that tlio Police had a perfect right to appear in plain clothes, and when so dressed were as much entitled to the protection of the Court as when in uniform.