HUNGER-STRIKER DIES IN GAOL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 279, 22 November 1913, Page 16

HUNGER-STRIKER DIES IN GAOL.

' EMULATES .SUFFRAGETTES, BUT IS XOT GIVEN HIS FRKEDOiI. NO FORCIBLE JfEEDISG. The first hunger-striker to die in prison was Albert Davis, agtKl twenty-one^'whi I imitated the suffragette method, but \va3 ! Dot allowed to leave gaol and recoup auiir I Hie "'Cat ami Mouse" Act. The' yquiig J man died of exhaustion (a Bedford cao'j. ': ' At the inquest on Tuesday, October 7Jh, Mr. Sowell. tbe prison governor, said tjit Davis was sentenced at the -May* assizes to fifteen months' bard labour for tneft at Bigglc&wade. anil there .were several previous ' convictions, lie gave his* age as twenty-oas, but :tppeareo much oleic?.*' Davis lincl been under medical treatment since bis first admission to the prison, and was. a most refractory prisoner, al; though, he appeared perfectly sane. ' Ut said hp «as a native of Stafford, and that his father and molher died from "sniaji" pox when he as nine years of age. Ift hail no brothers Qγ sisters. ' Dr. tUj medical officer, saii Da-is had been under his observation he was admitted to the prison. They i^:id the greatest difficulty In setting him* to I take .bis food ; in fact, he absolutely, refuged j it, but lie took a little milk occasionally. I They also experienced difficulty In ge'tt'lijg him to take the ordinary Sally exercise,' and two carders had to lead hini round the yard. He continually wanted tq lie dpwa In I the cell a.nd would do little work, although ; this was, very light. The ra&n died frpm exhaustion. He brought on a grcjit deal himself through refusing to eat. Witaegs ! said he pointed out to the man that he was punishing himself through refusing his food, and that he had,, had greater/ licence tU;m «a; usually piyeu.tß prisoners. The Foreman (to. the coroner)-; It is a hunger strike then. Don't yon think It should hate been reported to the. Hope Secifetary.7 The Deputy Coroner (Mr. Q- y : - Whyley) : You are thinking about the snSrasists. The governor said it was only necessary to report to the Home Secretary yhen forcible feeding was resorted to. Puling the time prisoner was awaiting his tri}! he read the newspapers, and no donbt thought he would imitate the women at Hollo-way Prison. The jury returned a verdict of "Vltl\\ from natural causes." ' %