Hide Article Text (OCR)
prisomnent^^ ;,^v, ^r-iSTEAMSHIP OFFICER AND COOK.Harry Vincent Webb, fourth'officer of, the steamer ltippingham Grange, pleaded not guilty to 1 h. charge, of having, on ' September 17, ’unlawfully ' assaulted Christopher Givnan, a cook.' ,Mr. r,W. Jackson appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Blair for defendant.Cirristdpher Givnan, coolc on the steamer ltippingham Grange, stated that he went‘on board the vessel at 10.30 o’clock on the night' of September 12; Witness was with another man, who was under the influence of liquor. This man fell on the deck' and witness, who wanted to stand, by him, was ordered to his quarters.-' Without any provocation, defendant, struck witness on two1 occasions knock, iiig him down.. Edgar Hupe, steward on the Rippingham Grange, stated that be saw the cook going along the deck, and saw tlio fourth officer strike him in the face on two oceasiops. .Thomas Anderson, steward, gave*evidence as to having seen Webb strike Givnan twice.Harry Vincent Webb, fourth officer of the Rippingham Grange, stated that bo was about to turn in on the night in- question when ho heard a disturbance,, and went out on to the deck, where bo' found a_ number of stewards under the influence of liquor. Wit-ness did not strike Givnan.William Henry;Fowler, chief officer of tho Rippingham Grange, stated that ho saw Givnan fall on thy deck and' cut his face! Witness had been called, out on deck be? cause some of tho crew' had comb on board under tho influence of drink.Thos. King, a passenger by tho Ripping-ham Grange, stated that ho saw Givnan lying oil the deck of'-the vessel, and picked him up and took him below. Witness did not seo the man fall.John liooson, quarter-master on the vessel, was on duty at the gangway on the night in question, and saw Webb helping Olio of the steerage stewards along. Givnan was helping to pick another steward up when he was ordered to his quarters. Ho refused to go at first, but did go at length. Witness did not see Webb strike Givnan.David R. Seabourne, second officer of the Rippingham Grange, stated that tho cook refused to go to his quarters wlieu witness told him to do go._ His Worship considered there was considerable discrepancy between tho evidence of tho witnesses for complainant and those for defendant. The evidence was also somewhat disconnected, and it was somewhat difficult to arrive at a solution of tho occurrence, There was a. doubt about-tho first blow alleged to have been struck, and defendant must have the benefit of tho doubt. As to the second, blow, an._ assault had boon committed, but-not a serious one, and- tho assault arose through complainant’s own behaviour. Defendant would be convicted and discharged. No costs would be allowed.
Newspaper Details
Wellington Dominion
Wellington, North Island, NZ
Tue, Sep 22, 1908
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Sarah Y.
NA, 16 Jan 2024
Other Publications Near Wellington, North Island
Wellington Dominion
