R. v, ANDERSON, Frank Anderson, able-bodied seaman of the Benledi, was charged with drunkenness: and disorderly conduct on board his ship, and assaulting several members of the crew on the 7th inst.
John Drake, second officer, stated that on Sunday afternoon prisoner was behaving in a riotous manner on the deck and fighting with several members of the crew. ess went up to try and stop it when prisoner drew his hand ross witness's face and also used threatening Idnguage. He called the bontawain to assist him and the third engineer went for the police. While they were securing the risener he butted the boatswain and cut is face.
In reply to tha prisoner, witness said he did not kick and strike him while he was down. All he did was to hold hin whilst they got him secure.
William Taylor, chief engineer, said he was lying in his room when he heard the prisoner on the deck challenging any one on the ship to fight. He persisted in fighting one of the crew who was quite peaceable, He corroborated the evidence of the last witness who he said did not use any undue violence.
Alexander Blair, boatswain, whose head was bandaged, spoke to being requested by the second officer to assist in securing soner who rushed at witness with his head, like a maniac, severely cutting him over the eye and necessitating the calling in of a doctor to stitch the wound.
McDonald, seaman, said prisoner who was drunk struck him without the Jeast provocation and he defended himself. This was what led to the disturbance.
In defence, prisoner alleged that he was ill-treated by members of the crew who both kicked him and struck him. If they had let him alone the affair would never have happened.
His Worship, ordered him to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for two weeks, but to be put aboard his ship should she sail earlier.
Captain Farquhar said that they were to sail at daylight on Wednesday morning and this would hardly be an adequate punishment. He wanted prisoner fo that he could not do such things aboard with impunity,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.