Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser (Vic. : 1842 - 1843; 1854 - 1876), Monday 10 November 1856, page 2


POLICE COURT. Saturday, November 8-b. Before J. Blair, E-q., H. M. DESERTING FROM SHIPBOARD.-Wil-liam Thomas and John Carroll, one the steward and the other the cook of the General Hewitt were charged at the Police Office, with deserting from the Britsh ship General Hewitt. Constable Paul, sworn: I arrested the prisoners between 1 and 2 o'clock this morning opposite the Post Office, in Julia Street. They told me they were bound for the diggings; that they had left the ship General Hewitt. One of the prisoners on being asked if he had any questions to put to this witness, replied that what the constable said was quite correct. Christopher Henry Louttit, master of the General Hewitt sworn : The prisoners are articled seamen, Thomas as cook at the rate of £3 per month, and Carroll as stew-ard at £3 10s. per month. I produce the articles which they signed. Those were dated 10th June and proved that the pri-soners were bound for a voyage for 3 years. The ship arrived in Portland Bay on the the 9th October. The prisoners deserted from the ship last night. They took away the ship's boat, cutting away a new pain-ter. I found the boat at the jetty this morning. The steward said that he was engaged as steward; but had been put to discharg-ing cargo: and was made responsible for much of the cargo that was injured by the workmen on board. Found guilty and sentenced to be worked on the roads or other public works for 4 calendar months.