Two engineers and two laodah, natives, were charged with illegally. using two steam launches, the property of Mess S.C. Farnham, Boyd and '0., La.
Inspector Mellows, of the River Police stated thatin the night of the 22nd instant the two launches were found towing a junk up the river, for which they received the sum of $16.' They were not showing the towing lights as required by the} Harbour Regulations.
Mr. Rowland, of Messrs. Farnham, Boyd and Ca., Ld., ssid that this was a very serious matter, as in addi ti n to the offence of illegally using the Company's property the launches, not carrying the proper lights, were a danger to navigation. Mor over, in the hands o* these men there w: great danger of the launches being dama: ed by unskilful handling, in which case the owners would be heavy losers, as on account of the high premiums demanded these small launches were not insured. Tt was believed that the accused had towed other junks previously, and it was impossible to say to what extent this practice had obtained amorly the company's employees. It was extremely difficult 10 detect this kin of thing, and he would ak the Court to inflict a punishment on the prisoners that would have a deterrent effect upon their fellow workmen. In regard to one of the men it was believed he was not so much at fault as the others as he had only been employed one or two clys at the time.
The accused admitted! using the Inunches, but pleaded that the junk was in a disabled condition, that her people asked to be towed, and that by so doing they were in saving the crew from danger.
The prosecution showed, however, that though the junk had a damaged rudder she was in no dan being anchored at the Yangtzepoo Cred Moreover the evidence of her crew showed that the accused first made proposals of towing at 5 p.m., but did not actually perform anything until 7 pan., leaving the scene meanwhile.
Mr. Rowland did not press for a heavy punishment, but thought that a period of tangueing would have a salutary effect employees who mizht he carrying on similar practices.
"Phe Court sen-enced three of the prisoners to a fortnight's cangue xt the Old Dock, and ordered that the $16 received for towing the junk be pail to Messrs. Farnham, Boyd xnd Company. The prisoner in whose case there was a little doubt received the benefit of it and was discharged. The Assessor remarked that but for Mr. Rowland not pressing for a heavy sentence he would have ordered three month's imprisonment at the lea-t. Absconding from Employment
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.