STRUNG UP BY THE HEELS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14508, 24 October 1910, Page 8

STRUNG UP BY THE HEELS.

TREATMENT OF A SAILOR. PREFERS GAOL TO THE SHIP. [BY TELEGRAM.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Saturday. While in custody on a char go of deserting from the German ship Martha Bockhahn. at West-port-. Olaf Arncnsen, a Norwegian, escaped from tho police yard. Tint door was open, and he just walked out, he explained in imperfect English to His Honor the 'Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) to-day. Ho and other men had b'>en badly treated on tho ship. Tho vessed was still in New Zealand, and ho would not. go on board her again. He knew what ho would get. Mr. Neave, for the Crown, said the accused was suffering from tuberculosis, a.nd was, therefore, a prohibited immigrant. His Honor said he did not think ho ought to have the man put on board again to be badly treated. The prisoner intimated that he would rather do six months than go back to the ship. His Honor thought the German authorities should be communicated with. Mr. Neave said the Collector of Customs, at. Westport., reported that tho prisoner had been kept iu. irons for three days and nights in a pigstye at Westport, and had been strung up by his heels and left hanging until his face was black. His Honor ordered tho prisoner to be confined to gaol for five weeks. It was, ho added, a monstrous thing that sailors should bo treated like this. Sailors deserve*! far more consideration than any other people. They wero under the command of tho captain, and they had no power to appeal against their treatment. Mr. Neave : 1 will report the matter to the Norwegian Consul. His Honor : I think you ought, also to communicate with the German Consul.