PORT CHALMERS POLICE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12393, 1 July 1902, Page 2

PORT CHALMERS POLICE COURT.

_ Monday, Joke 80. , .(Before Messrs C. Hodges and J. R. Moason, • ' Drunkenness.—A first offender wa» convicted and discharged.' , Assault.—James Ridgwell was charged' with assaulting John Dowling on board, the steam"' ship Sumart on the 27th June. - Accused : - pleaded .Not guilty,"—James Dowling) sea- ■ man on the Mamari, said that between 10 and 1 11 on Friday maht, whilo asleep in hi* bunk., lie was awakened by the accused {who was alio ■ ft seaman belonging to tho veswl) talking to. r another Beanuh named Moote. Witness apokbi' to, accused, asking him to speak a little lower, when the «ccum4 pulled oil the blanket' f-om . witness and struck l|im,, Witness got ug! and they had n bit of a Tight, and when ho wu v down accused kicked him in the face, break- - ing some of hie teeth and hurting his jaw. ' He had to be attended to by Dr Borri-v «id'' ' could n6w hardly open his mouth, and/only-' take very little food.He was not fit to lesnmV hu oidinary duhci, Accused was Bober eitough : ' to know what lie was doing, but witness Vould ' '•' ' not svtear whether the accused had his boots on. ' Ihomasi Abram, another seaman, corroborated ■ > ' the complainant's statement, but added that' after the fight both men shook hands.-Captain Banks stated, in answer (o the bench, that the complainant was a very quiet and well-behaved " and would not go on shore drinking with" • • the others. - Complainant was unable to take his ordinary food. Tho accused had eaniifd some little trouble since lie had joined the ■ vessel.—Accused, in defence, said that when* 1 , ■ went on board Jio fotitid Moore unatrtW inflnenco of drink. Ho tried, to get him t6 46 into ms bunkj when the complainant 'wad# • i tome remarks and then got up. They had a bit of fight, after which they shook' hSnds-' •• ■At the.time he had no'boots on; and denied • kicking, the eomplalnjnt.-Thelr Worshfp. corl- i sidered-the charge fully proved, and sentenced the accused to 30 days' imprisonment, with : hard labour. . ,