The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-01-28 00:00:00

SATURDAY.

A NEGLIGENT UNDER-STEWARD.
Captain Heath, commander of the Higginson, was sum-
moned by the late under-steward of the above vessel to show
cause why he refused to pay the latter a balance of wages al-
leged to be due to him for services during a voyage to Ma-
deira. &c. Mr. Davenport attended for the plaintiff, and
Mr. Deane for the defendant. The former proved his ser-
vices, and stated, in reply to questions put by his solicitor,
that the vessel took out passengers to Madeira, who were
attended by servants. The passengers used the silver plate
belonging to the vessel, and it was frequently in their pos-
session. Mr. Deane put it to the plaintiff whether he had
not lost some spoons on the voyage out. The plaintiff de-
nied that he had lost anything. The principal steward, a
negro, was called. He stated that he had charge of the plate,
and it was the duty of the under-steward to wash it each
night. He (witness) usually counted it each night. One
night, five nights before they arrived at Madeira, he did not
count it, and, next morning, he asked the plaintiff if the
plate were right. He at first hesitated, but afterwards con-
fessed that he had accidentally thrown out three silver tea-
spoons and a silver tablespoon into the sea. The captain
proved a similar admission on the part of the plaintiff. Mr.
Deane contended, that, by the sth and 6th William IV., the
captain was entitled to deduct the value of these spoons,
which he estimated at twenty shillings. The plaintiff denied
that he had ever thrown the spoons overboard, or even ad-
mitted that he had done so. The magistrates were of opinion,
that the evidence of the captain and steward was sufficient to
prove that such admission had been made. Mr. Davenport
thought there was no proof of negiigence. Mr. Rushton
thought it was the grossest negligence for a man to throw
silver spoons overboard from a bucket. It was ordered that
the balance of wages should be paid, deducting 20s for the
property thus negligently lost.

MONDAY. -
John Hines was placed at the bar on a charge of having
stolen a bonnet and shawl from the house of Mr. John
Anderson, publican, of Hanover-street, under the following
circumstances :

Mathias Glyn, policeman, No. 176, stated that about a
quarter to twelve o'clock on Saturday night, he was on' duty
in Hanover-street, near Mr. Anderson's house. He saw the
prisoner near the window, the shutter of which he lifted up,
and took out a bonnet and shawl, with which he was walking
away when witness seized him. Mr. Anderson came out to
his assistance, and the prisoner was taken to bridewell, where
sixpence in copper was found upon him.
John Anderson, the landlord of the public house, said there
were outside shutters to the window, hung upon the sash
frame. There was a desk under the window inside the room.
He saw his granddaughter, Eliza Malcolm, place her bonnet
and shawl upon the desk on Saturday night, about half-past
eleven ; and about a quarter to twelve he missed them. He
ran out and found them in the prisoner's possession.
The prisoner offered no defence, and he was committed for
trial at the next sessions.