IN OLDEN DAYS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12485, 20 October 1938, Page 3

IN OLDEN DAYS

WHEN FLOGGINGS ANT) IRONS ~ PAID FOR TRIFLES i V. ' j . Twelve mouths in irons for stealing (a goose and six months similarly I manacled for stealing a pig - , were among many cruel punishments inj dieted on convicts at Windsor 101 | years ago. I A record of punishments at Wind- ! sor Court of Petty Sessions _during I the month of January, 1837, has come into the possession of the Minister of Justice (Mr. Martin), who will give it to the Mitchell Library. Of the 4 5 persons dealt with, nine i were , women, and the floggings ordered totalled 810 lashes. Idleness was punished with 25 lashes. Feigning sickness brought 10 days in cells for one man and 25 lashes for another, j For disorderly conduct, three men ' received 125 lashes between them. | Other “crimes” received these reI wards: — j Drunkenness and . insolence to ■ master, 30 lashes. j Absence and disobedience to master | (a clergyman), six weeks in treadj mill. Absence at night, 35 lashes. Assault, 12 days in irons. Absconding, 50 lashes. Neglect of work, one month in treadmill. Insolence, 50 lashes. Disobedience, 25 lashes. Pig stealing, six months in irons. Stealing a goose, 12 months in irons. Threatening language to master, isix months in treadmill.

I Absence without leave, 50Jashes. I Simple larcenies mvohmg than £5 brought. 50 lashes or in irons from six to 12 J° i a man. The penalty was doubled loi I a second offence. ■ Bad language to a mastei meant 50 lashes, or the treadmill, oi imprisonment with labour toi tuo months, while solitary confinement on bread and water foi H m > could also be ordered. One who absconded twice, laboured in irons for 12 mouths. I Escaping from a penal settlement j brought 100 lashes for a man and J for a woman, solitary confinement on bread and water for a month.