THE GOLDEN KEY

Feilding Star, Volume 8, Issue 2587, 3 December 1931, Page 4

THE GOLDEN KEY

WHAT MONEY DID AIRMAN’S PERILS IN TURKEY EEFORTS IX EXTORTION L&ust. and X.iS. Cable) Eondon, Due. 2. Four months afro, when attempting- to make a record fliprht to Sumatra. Alfred Lr Clair, a rubber planter, was forced- down in Turkish territory. In landing- bo. crashed into a tele graph post, and was immediately arrested. and charged with flying .over fprbidden territory without a permit. He was imprisoned in a tiny sell ;witlt 12 others and, his only food, j was a scanty supply of bread and, water. Two of the prisoners in the cell fatally stabbed each other. be Clair’s bail was fixed at £3OO and a barrister demanded .£SOO for his defence. He was forced to borrow tho ■money at 1000 per cent, interest. The. Court sentenced him to a year's gaol and a fine of .£3OO and ;he was ordere.d to pav 1500 rom'ponsalion for the death of a child who, the Turks alleged, had been killed by the falling telegraph pole. Tie escaped, and while awaiting a vessel was robbed by bandits, whom it was later discovered, were led by tig. Commissioner of Police. f.e Clair was rearrested and charged, with living in the country witbout a permit, but purchased his freedom for jCion. He finally escaped with the aid of smugglers, to whom lie paid