The Sun.
London, England, 1867-10-03 00:00:00

THAMES.

A FRIENDLY TRENT —DEAD DRUNK.—George Belt, a
Custom-house officer, was brought before Mr. Benson
charged with being drunk and incapable of taking care of
himself.

William Girling; a police-constable, No. g 0 11, stated
that he found the prisoner in Church-lane, Whitechapul,
yesterday evening, at a quarter before five o'clock, drunk
and incapable ; in fact, dead drunk, and he would have
been robbed and ill-used in such a locality if he had not
removed him to the station-house. . ,

The Defendant—The fact is that I mot rt. fear fauna,'
from the country and got drinking rum with them. I got
too much, and it overcame me.
Mr. Benson—Whit are you ?
Prisoner—l am a Custom-house officer. It was only a
friendly treat.
Mr. Benson —A person in your situation ought to be
more careful. This is very disgraceful indeed. You are
an officer holding a good position under the Crown, and
should have shown a better example. You may go.
DESERTION OF SEA APPRENTICES.—DanieI James, a
youth, was brought before Mr. Benson, charged with un-
lawfully deserting from the fishing smack Owner's Pride
before his term of apprenticeship expired.
Mr. Thomas Halfyard said ho was the owner of the
smack Owner's Pride, which arrived in the river off Bil-
lingsgate on Tuesday last week. On the following Friday
the prisoner and another apprentice deserted the vessel.
He found the prisoner last night in the Hoop and Grapes
publichouse, in Ratcliff Highway. He said to him " What
are you up to, sir," to which ho replied that he could not
agree with the captain. He asked the prisoner if the cap-
tain ill-used him, and he said "No." He ascertained the
prisoner had shipped on board a billy boy as a seaman,
and was to have sailed in her that morning. All the
prisoner's clothes were on board the billy boy except a
pair of boots, which cost 305., and which the lad had
pawned. He expected to find his other apprentice to .day.
Mr. Benson—Has the vessel gone away ?

Mr. Halfyari—Yes, sir—she is at sea. I was obliged to
ship two other hands for the apprentices who ran away.
I have other vessels, and on 3 is now here. This lad has
12s. per week. He is apprenticed for two years; and he
went two trial voyages before he was indentured to me.
The prisoner, in defence, said the captain of the Owner's
Pride spoke harshly to him.
Mr. Benson said it was perfect nonsense for a great lad
like the prisons-, just on the verge of manhood, to take
offence at a few rough words. The apprentice ought to
have made an effort to please his captain, and have done
his duty properly. He did not think the charge of deser-
tion was math out. It was an absence without leave, for
which the prisoner was liable to forfeit six- days' pay for
every 24 hours absence from duty. As Mr. Halfyard had
very kindly offered to take back the apprentice, he would
allow him to be transferred to another vessel, OR his

solemn promise to behave well and faithfully do his duty
in future.

The I'risonor—l am very sorry. 1 will do my duty in

Mr: Benson—You are finod six days' pay, which the
owner will stop from your wages, and you must return to
your duty.

MAILYLEI3ONE.

TIM DIAMOND AND Runt CROSS RonnEßY.—Alfred
Norman was brought up on remand, on the charge of
stealing a diamond and ruby cross, of the value of £lO,
belonging to Flora May, of 7, Wilton-,place, St. John's-
wood.

Mr. Lewis, of Marlb3rough-street, prosecuted, and Mr.
Kerr defended.

The prisoner was brought in by alw3on, 122 A R.
1.1,3 ergs dressed in the uniform of the 34 Dragoon
Guards. It may be remernbared that the prisoner
was originally charged with stealing the cross, and never
surrendered on his bail. Ho was taken at Canterbury,
where he had enlisted.

Miss Dellay did not now appear, and Mr. D'Eyncourt
directed summonses to issue to compel the attendance of
her and her witnesses.

Another caso was gone into, whore he had gone home
with a young woman, and in the morning decamped with
her gold watch and chain.
He was committed for trial.

Mr. Sleigh said he should ask that prisoner be committed
to the Old Bailey, as ho was wantii for forgery and em-
bezzlement in the City.

THIRD EDITION.