THE SEAMY SIDE.

Evening Star, Issue 12762, 15 March 1906, Page 1

THE SEAMY SIDE.

A PITIABLE STORY. A j [Special to the Stap..] ■ CHRLSTCHUPwCH, March 15. Rudyard Kipling relates that the argunient which torned hhn to accept the ProIribition faith was the spectacle of two young girls in a large city escorted by two men who went reeling drunk down a dark alleyway, " to God alone knows what fate." Such spectacles are not. common in New Zealand, but a story which had been whispered about for some days before finding an echo in the public prints has sufficient parallel to justify its publication in the public interest. On Monday last a correspondent wrote to the 'Lyttelton Times' stating that recently two young women had been taken on board a" vessel lying at Lyttelton wharf by a local tradesman, who subsequently left one of the girls on the steamer by herself, and that at a late hour of tho night she atos found in dishevelled condition on board the steamer in a hope-' less state of intoxication, and had to be removed ashore. Yesterday a representative of the 'Lyttelton Times' visited the port, in order to ascertain what amount of truth attached to this circumstantial statement,' and, Avhilst investigations disclosed that the f;tcts were hardly as represented, it aisc showed that the incident was sufficiently serious? to c--.1l for strong reproach to those concerned it. It appears that on the evening of 1-Vbruary 27, about 6.30, a Lyttelton tradesman went on board a,*-ocean-going steamer-, then lying at onel the wharves. He was accompanied by tw<T women, whose characters subsequent inquiries showed to be open to grave, reflection. The elder of the women was a Christchurch resident, a married avoto-ui who was residing away from her husband, whilst the younger \i«as a girl of tweutyj one. who comes from Oaffmra and who had j been living a doubtful life under police | surveillance for some time pact- in CliristI church. The party passed the watch by stating that they Avere friends of the captain. They inquired for the captain, but finding he was arhore sought out one of the stewards, whom they asked for some j "beer. The steward, on the understanding that the visitors were friends- of the captain, supplied them with beer, bat refused J payment Avhtn the party wanted more b?er. | The man Avho introduced them gave the j elder Avoman 2s 6d to purchase beer on shore, Arith instructions to bring it back !to the boat The elder woman then went ashore, and did not return. After some time" her escort folio wed her, leaving the younger girl on the steamer. What transpired in the interva.l is unknown, but at half-past ten tire girl v/as seen sitting on the main deck in a state of partial intoxij cation. The second officer, who had been apprised of the incident, sent for the police, but on their arrival tie girl was making her way ashore. She was questioned bv the police, and it was found that, thongJi she. had obviously been drinking, she was by no means badly drunk, and had all her Avits about her. Uuder examination, sire exonerated the men concerned oi anv charge of drugging, violence, or other malpractice. She told her story practically as it is told here, and stated that she did not know the name of her irhilom escort. The police found accommodation for her that night in a hotel, and next morning she left for .Christchurch, and, presumably, Oamara. The other Avoraan did not again present herself to public notice. The affair has been the "subject of a good deal of indignant commentary in Lyttelton. Talking to an old resident of the* town, the reporter was told that, though Lyttelton was not worse than other ports. *it is a common thing for women to go on board vessels in the harbor for immoral purposes and not uncommon for them to get drunk whilst on board. Tho women Arho do this are not all hardened sinners by any means, nor do they all come from Lyttelton. "No avoman," contiued the informant, "with any regard for her character Mould go on Lcard a vessel in port unaccompanied by a chaperone or male relative. A woman who, like the girl in this case, not only goes onboard a steamer with a strange man but accepts drink cannot be a woman of good character. You must not think Lyttelton is a sink of iniquity in this respect. The same condition of affairs obtains at everv port."