THE GOLDEN KEY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 301, 4 December 1931, Page 8

THE GOLDEN KEY

AIRMAN’S PERILS IN TURKEY. London, Nov. 27. Four months ago, when attempting to make a record flight to Sumatra, Alfred Le Clair, a rubber planter, was forced down in Turkish territory. In landing he crashed into a telegraph post, and was immediately arrested, and charged with flying over forbidden territory without a permit. He was imprisoned in a tiny cell with 12 others, and his only food was a scanty supply of bread and water. Two of the prisoners in the cell fatally stabbed each other. L. Clair’s bail was fixed at £3OO, and a barrister demanded £5OO for his defence. He was forced to borrow the money at 1000 per cent, interest. The Court sentenced him to a year's gaol and a fine of £3OO, and he was ordered to pay £l5OO compensation for the death of a child who, the Turks alleged, had been killed by the falling telegraph pole. He escaped, and while awaiting a vessel was robbed by bandits, whom it was later discovered were led by the Commissioner of Police. Le Clair was rcarrested and charged with living in the country without a permit, hut purchased his freedom for £lOO. He finally escaped with the .aid of smugglers, to whom ho paid £l5O.