AMOKURA ALLEGATIONS

NZ Truth, Issue 405, 29 March 1913, Page 7

AMOKURA ALLEGATIONS

The Flogging Inquiry.

Ad Outline of Harp's Charges.

Regardlng New Zealand's Training Ship.

The hole-and-corner departmental inquiry ordered by the Minister for Marine, the Hon. "Darn" Fisher, into the charges of flogging boys on the Government training ship Amokura, preferred by Mr. J. G. Harp has been concluded, and, according to the dally press, the information has been forwarded, to the Minister. So far, the public has been enlightened as little as possible by the authorities regarding the matter investigated, and it seems to "Truth" that Mr. Fisher, as a Minister of a boasted "Reform" Cabinet, has somewhat discounted its "new-broom" policy by holding the inquiry with doors closed against the press, however, "Truth" will endeavor to supply an OUTLINE OF THE SUPPRESSED INFORMATION. What the specific charges were which Mr. Harp preferred has not been ascertained, but the most serious of all may be stated as a general indictment against the "officers of the Amokura of frequently flogging the youthful sailors on their bare buttocks with a rope-end for trivial offences. Mr. Allport, Secretary to the Minister of Marine, was deputed to preside at the inquiry, which commenced on the 19th inst. and, concluded at 11 p.m. on the 25th. At the outset Mr. Harp, who is a lay preacher at Frankton Junction, was not permitted to be represented by counsel, although a legal gentleman from the Crown Law Office conducted the case m the Government interest, if not actually for tho defence. The origin of the charges dates back j to January last, when Mr. Harp met tho captain of' the Amokura at a carnival held at Raglan. He first learned of the flogging of the boys from the captain, who mentioned the matter casually m course of conversation, and further interesting himself m their welfare, Mr. | Harp obtained information which led hi.n to regard the method of punishing the boys as ' NOTHING SHORT .OF BRUTAL. Feeling sure of his facts, Mr. Harp spread the startling news through the! | Waikato press, which passed it on to ! Auckland opportunely with the visit of Mr. Fisher, who diplomatically calmed the angry press by intimating his intention to hold a full and free inquiry into tho whole story, but Mr. Harp considers that promise was not wholly fulfilled. When Mr. Harp came to Wellington to substantiate his charges he found the authorities not over anxious to help him. Besides having been disallowed counsel at, the inquiry, access to the ship for the purpose of, personal investigation and perusal of records on board was refused him, although he claims the, Mini- j ter HAD PROMISED BOTH. The authorities, he considers, showed much more concern to get the inquiry over m a few hours than to help him. Mr. Campbell, recently second officer on the Amokura, who was called to confirm some of the charges, at first refused to give 'evidence unless the inquiry was made. public, but he did subsequently, and air. Harp found it necessary to refuse to proceed until ho was satisfied the case would be properly heard. However, as tho inquiry proceeded, examination of tho boys disclosed that floggings were painfully free and frequent, some of the lads tendering marked testimony to tho practice by showing scars of wounds which had rendered it more comfortable to din© oft the mantle shelf (supposing there were mantle shelves on board ship; than seated at a table. Ex-second Officer Campbell's evidence was mostly cor-

i tion of tho method of flogging has been given "Troth." For the ceremonyall the lads are lined up on deck. When called for his punishment the boy, not given. an_ opportunity to make any explanation of the offence for -which he is to be flogged, is placed on the hatch m abending position, four instructors holding him at each leg and each arm. PRACTICALLY PINIONINGtho youngster as though he were on the triangle to take the "cat." The boy's buttocks are bared, and the flogging is administered by the captain with about a %-inch hemp or manilla rope, the end being bound stiffly with" twine. One boy, usually the youngest on the ship, is deputed to count the strokes inflicted. True to the traditions of boys of the bull-dog breed, the lads take their gruelling like heroes, and resort to all . sorts of expedients to hide their woe, if perchance a tear should escape. j The father of one of tne boys, who came from Christchurch, 'is said to have inspected the ship, and expressed strongly his opinions as to the unsuitableness

of tho vessel for 'the purpose it is used. There is said to be. no proper bath for the boys or men, no place to keep meat, and the potatoes ho found In a corrupt condition. Another matter brought to "Truth's" attention Is that the blue book which is forwarded *by tho department to prospective Bailor-boys giving information of the conditions of service provides a blll-of-fare which includes cofl'eo and biscuit at 8 p.m. Theao are

ALWAYS "OFF."

It has also been stated that during the past two months there havo been six desertions.. If this is so, m view of tho fact 'that tho lada aro required to Borve a term of only two years, tbo number appears abnormal. Thero aro other matters which pressure of space forblda "Truth" to ventilate at present. One of those is tho question whether tho cruiso to the Auckland, Campbell, and Bounty Islands Is a proper one for 'a crow of boys, who work the ship from port to' port, taking. their turns at tho wheel m tho roughest of seas llkn any old salt. Tho Island cmlse Is recognised as one of tho roughest m Now Zealand's usually rough waters.

At the conclusion of the tnquiry, Mr. Harp thanked Mr. AHport for the gentlemanly way m which ho had conducted tho inquiry.

As previously mentioned. Mr. Campbell, recently second officer of tho Amokura, has a personal grJovancc. which the department has advised him to lay before Parliament, but ho staten ho would rather have tho whole troubto Uirasliod out In a public inquiry.