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ILL-TREATMENT OF ABORIGINES

DR ROTH'S ENQUIRIES.

POLICE AND THE "BLACK BRUTES."

PERTH, February 10. The evidence taken by Dr Roth on the native question has been published. It occupies 121 printed foolscap pages. Mr A. E. Woodroffe, branch manager for the Adelaide Steamship Company at Wyndham from February 21, 1901, to December 2, 1903, in the course of lengthy evidence, said that in charges against natives for cattle - stealing and murder the police prosecuted, and the natives were left to defend themselves. Interpreting was done merely by a polico tracker, who in many cases could speak only a few words of pidgeon English. Continuing, witness said : "I am satisfied in my mind that the blacks never had a fair trial. If a native is tried for murder he is tried before the resident magistrate, and committed for trial, and then the same resident magistrate is given a comission to again try the same case. It is natural that he will not direct the jury against the" previous finding. I can cite one case the Teroney case — in which I was not a juryman, but I was interested. I offered bail, which was not accepted, because the resident magistrate had a personal animus against • me. I attended tho court in this case, and the resident magistrate tol.d the jury if they did not bring . in a verdict as directed by him it would ] not be just and right. I firmly believe that the blacks do not understand the charges brought against them. I have seen a native asked, "How many cattle you kill?" and the number indicated on the fingers. The native answers "Yns" to this, and it is taken as evidence. Tho natives generally laugh at it, and think it a great joke. They do not understand the seriousness of the charges. It is a perfect farce. Yes, in some instances little boys have been brought in to giveevidence who are not of mature age. In three years I have seen many cases in Wyndham, and can honestly say that I consider that a number of these natives have been brought in by the police to gain their own ends. By bringing in these natives they derive a revenue of a certain sum per head, and in 99 cases out ot 100 the natives are not fed at all. The police obtain this money from the Government as a fee for the maintenance of native prisoners. I have, seen gin witnesses hunted out to catch lizards. This happened within 25 miles of Wyndham. It is to the advantage of the police to brine; native, prisoners in slowly, but in many instances near Wyndham I have Been them driven before the horses at a pace "which no human being could keep up with for any distance. t have seen detained* at. Six Mile, and then driven in the. heat of the day in front of the horses to Wyndham. I havo seen old and feeble men brought in by the police driven in front of horses ; they could hardly walk, and have been kept in gaol out' of charity. The doctor has treated them there until such time as they could be sent back to their own country, and even then they have again been brought in by the police. During the years that I was in Wyndham I did not see one case of justice. Dr Belgrove treated the blacks with great leniency, and always gave them the benefit of the doubt, no* matter how lue police pressed the charge. I heard one constable at Wyndham say, "I have broxight tho blai-k brutes in simply because I can make a few shillings out of them." I have walked out of the Wyndham Court disgusted at what is called British justice. William Peterson, gaoler, at Broome, stated that under instructions from the comptroller-general of prisons he had to place every prisoner consigned to his care in chains, no matter how light or serious the offence, or how short or long the sentence. Chains could be abolished in case of aborigines working inside tho prisons, and at night if properly-built gaols existed. In his opinion not one of the aborigines that he had there sentenced for cattle stealing really understood what he was imprisoned for. One of such prisoners was an old cripple, practically blind. Witness was opposed to the long sentences given for such offences as cattle killing. He thought that long sentences were not beneficial to the natives in any case, as the blacks did not understand the position they were in. Native prisoners had to work eight hours daily, summer and winter, and this was 100 long in summer, as it was almost impossible at times for them to work that length of time. In some eases it had actually affected their health in the way of sunstroke. Neck chains could with advantage be abolishislvd, and replaced by wrist cuffs and chains. Such a system would be more humane, and would servo the same purpose with regard to safety.

BEDSTEADS & WIRE MATTRESSES. Having decided to considerably reduce my large stock of Bedsteads and Wire Mattresses, I offer them at the following ereatly-reduced prices for Cash for one month: 3ft Bedsteads 23s 6d, 4ft Bedsteads 27s 6d. 4ft 6in by lin tubes 27s 6d. 4ft 6in Brass-rail Bedsteads at 40s, 455, 555, 60s. Double Wire-wove Mattresses, 4ffc 6in, 17s 6d. Wire Stretchers, complete, 15s. The above goods are just recently imported from the manufacturers, and ' are splendid value. Inspection invited.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS19050227.2.80

Bibliographic details

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8162, 27 February 1905, Page 4

Word Count
920

ILL-TREATMENT OF ABORIGINES Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8162, 27 February 1905, Page 4

ILL-TREATMENT OF ABORIGINES Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8162, 27 February 1905, Page 4

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