GERMAN METHODS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19197, 13 June 1924, Page 8

GERMAN METHODS.

SAMOAN BOY THE ASHED. SUBSTANTIAL FINE IMPOSED. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 12. Anne J. Stewart Hill was charged in the Police Court with having assaulted a Samoan boy, whom accused and her husband hud, brought to Auckland about 18 months ago, Mr Hill having been for several years in charge of Samoan plantations under the New Zealand Government. The boy said in evidence that he was about 20 years of age. At one place where he resided with Mrs Hill he was beaten with the end of a tyre with wires in it. He denied that he had stolen anything or given other cause for punishment. On May 27 at 9.30 a.m. ho went into accused's bedroom, Mrs Hill having told him to inform her when certain work was done. Lie denied interfering with the bed clothes. When Mrs Hill came downstairs he was thrashed. Accused had thiashed him for not telling the truth. He did not complain about that. He was well fed. Accused, in evidence, stated that she had on many occasions caught the boy stealing. Referring to the bedroom occurrence, she said the boy was inclined to be cheeky, and she called her husband, who hit the boy with the whin wherever ho could. ‘ I gave him a good thrashing, and I would do it. again. I did not know the whijn was steel-lined, and was sorry about that. Mr Pojntoii, S.M., said that if the wire in the whip had struck the boy in the eye he would have lost an eye. The treatment he had received could not be allowed in New Zealand. It micht have been the custom in Samoa under the Germans. He imposed a fine of £lO, half of which is to go to the Samoan boy, and two guineas costs. .