LYTTELTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5161, 17 November 1884, Page 3

LYTTELTON.

This DKt. (Before H. Allwright and F. Ronalds, J.P.s) Deserters. — H. Hart was charged with deserting from the s.s. Ruapehu, at Port Chalmers. The fourth officer and the chief steward gave evidence that accused had gone ashore at Port Chalmers without leave. Defendant pleaded that he had been arrested at Dunedin without due cause for drunkenness the evening before the vessel sailed. On being released he had made the best of his way to rejoin the ship, and on his arrival at Lyttelton, he had been arrested for desertion. Mr Nalder appeared for the prosecutors. The Bench took a lenient view of the case, ordering accused to be confined for 24 hours, and to pay all expenses, and .£1 Is solicitor's fee. — . Campbell was also charged with deserting from the Ruapehu, at Port Chalmers, on Nov. 13, and also with assaulting Charles Burbet, quarter-matter, and Victor Crozier, steward of the vessel. The chief engineer said that accused, who was boiler-maker of the ship, had been told on Nov. 12 to take the ! boiler doors out for inspection of the boilers. i Accused did this, and then left the vessel. • Had to employ shore hands to do his i work. Charles Durbet deposed that the accused had created a disturbance on board the ship, and when told to keep quiet had assaulted witness. Crozier gave evidence of a similar assault, as did — Forbes, second officer of the ship. Accused was sent to gaol for six weeks, and ordered to pay £1 solicitor's fee and £2 costs incurred by the Company in employing a substitute. Obscene Language. —M. Niel was charged with using obscene language in London street. He pleaded guilty, and was fined 20u or 48 hours' imprisonment.