233
ship.
On leaving the Court I returned immediately to the ...
On Tuesday March 1st I again attended the Court
on this occasion accompanied by the two Boatswain's
Mates, when I had in the meantime subpoenaed as witnesses
they having frequently commented on the way in which I was
treated by the Chief Officer.
I may here mention that on the first day the
Captain was unrepresented, and brought no witnesses, on
the Tuesday he was represented by a Mr Masters, Solicitor,
and produced in the Court the Chief and Fourth Officers
as witnesses for his prosecution. Before the case was
called a considerable time was spent by the Solicitor
for the prosecution, my representative, and Mr Barnes
Lawrence the newly appointed Marine Magistrate in
private consultation.
Immediately on the case being called, the Solicitor
for the prosecution asked permission to amend the charge
from being absent on the 24th., 25th., and 26th. instant
to being absent on the 25th., 26th., 27th., and 28th.
instants and to add "Wilful and continued disobedience of
orders on those dates; it was immediately granted against
my wish, my representative raising no objection.
In answer to these charges I pleaded "Not Guilty"
The Captain was first called for the prosecution and his
evidence was to the effect that on Saturday 26th instant at 1 p.m. it was reported to him by the Chief Officer
that I was absent from the ship without leave, and had
been absent since the night of the 25th.
No statement was made by him to the effect that
he had taken any steps to verify this statement. The
only questions put by my representative to the prosecutor were
Firstly