TRANSPORTING 700 CONVICTS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15595, 11 August 1921, Page 9

TRANSPORTING 700 CONVICTS.

PARIS, June 3.—Seven hundred convicts condemned to transportation for periods varying from five years to life have just left ha Uocheilo tor I lie penai settlement of Cayenne, French Guiana. 'J'his is the first resumption of transportation since 1915, when I fie shortage of ships caused the abandonment, of the practice. Fvor since the armistice the French prison authorities liave complained of overcrowding. With 5000 desperate criminals awaiting removal to Cayenne, a ship has at last. l>eoii located for the purpose, the, 50C0 ton ex-German freighter Dualu, which will make the passage in upwards of three weeks. Eight huge iron cages have been constructed between decks, where the human meuiageVie will be kept under a guard of fifty military warders.

A few narrow portholes will supply ventilation during the tropical voyage. But, lest any "wild beast" be tempted to rebel, strong punishment bars have been fixed to the front of each cage, where, refractory convicts will be spreadeagled with feet and hands locked in sieel handcuffs. There are also lour "b|ack holes," iron chests si* feet long, seven feet deep and three foet wide, where tho worst thugs will soon bo cowed into submission. Finally to stifle— if is an appropriate word —any attempt at organised mutiny, holes have been made in the roofs ol the cages through which will be pumped cold water, steam or asphyxiating gas. according to the gravity of the outbreak. Nevertheless, the great majority of tho 7(X> are eagerly looking forward to the journey, for at Cayenne they will enjoy a considerable measure of liberty ami after having served a short time without complaint, the convicts are even allowed to marry arid engage in trade or cultivate land.