PRISON GRIEVANCES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 35, 10 February 1904, Page 3

PRISON GRIEVANCES.

■ ■ —' • ■ ■ ■ -■■ — THE WRONG WAY TO AIR THEM. Percy E. .VhitteH, who once interested Auckland in the role of "Lord Northesk.*' and concluded a career of meteoric brilliance with a three years' sentence for hard labour, aired his prison grievances in the Police Court today, when ilr IT. W. Brabant, S_M., concluded the hearing of a charge against him that he assaulted a warder. Whit tell asked that he should examine Mr Severne. and this was allowed. Whittell explained that he had to paint the gaoler's official residence. The painting turned out a failure, and Whittell suggested that the blame was laid upon himself. Mr Severne said the prisoner was certainly not blamed, and Mr Brabant added that he could not see what this had to do with the assault. This remark had to be repeated when Whittell said he believed men worked with him to spy upon him. Asked by Whittell about his prison record. Mr Severne said that although tbe prisoner cajue to Auckland with a bad record, bis character in Mount Eden was so good that he was allowed more liberty than any other prisoner in the gaol. Two prisoners were called by Whittell, who questioned them as to what satisfaction they obtained when they had grievances. One said he could only complain to the visiting justice or the prison inspector. His Worship reminded Whittell that he was asking nothing about the assault, but was trying to turn that court into a court of inquiry into the conduct of the prison. "I suppose the feefing against the chief warder is so bitter that it might result at any time in a riot?"' suggested Whittell to one of his fellow prisoners. A prompt reply in the affirmative was given, and Mr Brabant sharply told Whittell that the chief warder was not present when this threat was made. The second witness, who had acted as hospital orderly, said that in November last he warned Mr Severne that in consequence of the manner in which the chief warder interfered to influence the doctor in refusing prisoners' requests, serious trouble would arise. Mr Severne remarked that what was said was quite different, but now the charges had been made, he would be glad if an inquiry was held. The prisoners came into open court to state things which they knew they could not prove, in order to arouse public sympathy. His WorsLip sentenced the prisoner vo an additional two months' hard labour, saying be failed to see what was the extreme provocation Whittell alleged he had suffered. He did not believe Whittell had suffered anything himself, but it appeared that there was some dissatisfaction in the prison regarding the conduct of the chief warder. That ha.l nothing to do with the case, and if prisoners believed there had been improper conduct they would have no difficulty in securing an inquiry.