Mr. Josiah Brant, a fisherman of this town, reported to the Constable on Wednesday morning that his nets had been found cut through at the pitch off Spurn Point. The damage was discovered at dawn, when Mr. Brant went to draw his gear. He named no man in his complaint, though we are given to understand that his eye rested upon the boat of Mr. Nathaniel Okes, with whom he has disputed the right to that pitch for three seasons running. The cutting, if malicious, is a serious matter, for a net so served is useless until mended, and the herring season is at its height.
Constable Truncheon accordingly took statements from both Mr. Brant and Mr. Okes in the afternoon. Mr. Okes swore that he had been at the Gilded Eel from the evening until closing time, and his account was confirmed by Mr. Gideon Stoup, the publican, who vouched for his presence. Mr. Brant, for his part, could offer no further evidence, and the Constable has not closed his inquiries. We are glad to note that the harbour has not been the scene of any further mischief, and we trust that the truth will out in due course. The loss to Mr. Brant is not slight, but the matter now rests in the hands of the law.