THE TRANSPORTATION OF PRISONERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2719, 25 April 1906, Page 13

THE TRANSPORTATION OF PRISONERS.

ALLEGED DEPARTMENTAL BUNGLING. One of the most glaring and scandalous demonstrations of Government department ineptitude and bungling brought to hpht for some time past., occurred within the past few days (says the Taranaki News). On Wednesday a batch of 10 prisoner.*, some of them serving long sentences, who were being transferred to the tree-planting "picnic" plantations in the thermal district, were shipped on the Takapuna at Wellington for Auckland via New Plymouth. One warder was sent in charge of the consignment, who were dressed in civilian clothes, and allowed their freedom to roam the ship. Several of the prisoners were well dressed, and might have been ordinary Easter holiday-makers for all the uniniated could tell to the contrary. It is stated that the solitary wander sent in charge -was new to the men, a most unusual proceeding. The inevitable happened, of cour<ic. The prisoners practically took charge of the ship', penetrating the vessel's hold, stewards' cabins, and first sa'oon, everywhere leaving some evidence of their expertness at burglary. Passengers' or officers' luggage was overhauled, and it is also stated that cargo was broached. So hot did it become, anyhow, that the captain of $h§ vessel, on arriving at N«w. Plymouth

on Thursday, absolutely refused to take the prisoners any further. They were accordingly landed, and accommodation was found for them in New Plymouth Gaol. It was decided to forward them on by the Rarawa on Saturday night, and they were sent to the breakwater on the mail train. The ringleader on the trip up, however, was left behind in the local gaol. Arrived at i the 6teamer, the captain was only per- , suaded with difficulty to undertake the responsibility of carrying such passengers, | especially as the ship was crowded with holiday trippers. It was impossible to put them " m the hold, where they would assuredly have run riot through the cargo. ' Eventually they were lodged in the forecabin, their manacles were removed, and they were free to roam the ship. Despite the fact that there was trouble aboard the Takapuna, the same warder was sent, single- j handed, to guard his charges aboard the Rarawa.