CURIOUS STORY

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 July 1931, Page 8

CURIOUS STORY

IMPRISONED WITHOUT TRIyVL. SUVA, June 11. Mr. Gabriel Steven, who returned to Suva last week by the .steamer Sheaf Crown, from Noumea, told a remarkable story. Some 22 months ago, a deputation of the chiefs of Futuna (French island) came to Suva. They bore with them a document of assent to their mission from the resident commissioner. They wanted a greater price for their copra.

A small syndicate was formed in Suva with the charter of an auxiliary schooner, the Manoa, with which it. was proposed to bring the copra to Suva. Mr. Steven, who had just, before resigned from the Customs service, was chosen to represent the syndicate. He reached Futuna with the chiefs and bought 100 tons at. £8 per ton. He had the copra stored in sheds, and gavo I.O.U’s to bind the bargain, but ho stated that he distinctly told the natives that he did not. recognise the copra as his until it. was paid for. In the meantime, unknown to Mr. Steven, the Manoa was lost at sea. No other vessel could bo obtained. Then ho heard that, the commissioner had sent a message asking for the sloop of war, the Cassiope. She arrived and, when standing on the road, Mr. Steven saw a file of armed ■seamen, who were carrying rifles, with bayonets, and also revolvers. He said they surrounded him and when lie held up his hands and asked what the trouble was. he was told that lie was going to Noumea to serve ten years, and that nothing more need be said.

He was placed in the gaol in Noumea, he continued, and all his requests tc see the British Consul were refused. At last, after serving 16 months at very hard work, stone cutting, he was spoken to by a Frenchman, the guard being a native. When the man, who could speak English, heard his story, he exclaimed: “Why have you not appealed to your consul?” Mr. Steven told how he had had been refused, and at once the Frenchman produced pencil and paper and told him to write to the consul. This he did, and next day the consul (Mr. Johnson) arrived and heard his story. He made representations to the Governor (Mr Guyon), who refused to release him. Then Mr. Johnson sent a wireless message to the High Commissioner at Suva, and at once camo release. Mr. Steven came cut without'any clothes except what he was wearing, but Mr. Johnson gave him clothes and arranged his passage home (refused by the French authorities) by the Sheaf Crown. Mr. Steven said that ho was never tried, and was allowed no chance of appeal, i