James Molyneux, fireman, of the str. Celtic Prince, appeared before Mr, G. W. King at H. M. Poli Cowt on Tuesday charged wi being an absentee from his ship, and with doing damage to the amount of S10 at a godown in Wuchang Road at 3.45 am. terday.
Inspector MacGregor appeared for the police.
The police story was that defendant had got himself locked up in he godown on Monday night and his shouts and efforts to release himself attracted a crowd of Chinese, A Chinese police constable mained on the watch outside while a search was made for the owner of the godown, and as the keys had not been obtained at 3.45 a.m. defendant kicked oni a panel the door and so got out, being then taken into custody.
Defendant said he had had some whisky and did not know how or at what time he got into the godown.
The owner of the godown, a Chinese, said he did not press for the payment of damages.
His Worship:—That is extraord-mary: A Chinese who does not wish to claim damages Witness:—Defendant is not able to pay, so I do not press the charge.
His' Worship:—Very well. He is discharged for this offence.
On the charge of being an absentee, defendant said it was due to his being drunk. He had not been properly sober since the ship arrived at Shanghai.
His Worship entered a conviction against defendant.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.