BOY’S AMAZING STORY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16662, 16 February 1925, Page 8

BOY’S AMAZING STORY.

NO BATH FOR TWO YEARS

NEGLECTED AND STARVED. SYDNEY, Feb. 5. —A terrible story of criminal neglect and almost unbelievable cruelty on the part of lii.s employer was told by a hoy who was taken off a train passing through .Maryborough, Victoria, last- week-end. He Was so emaciated arid weak that he could barely stand, and he was covered from- head ,to foot with sores and discolored abrasions. , The police at Afaryborougb wefe notified, arid 'they took him to the hospital, Where lus condition was found, to be such, that though lie was.ravenous for food, very little was given him owing to his dangerous state. He was dressed in a new suit, hut the authorities, after undressing him, were quite able to believe his story that lie had. not had a bath for two years. In every way his condition confirmed the amazing story he told the police, who are, investigating it with -the object of taking action, , He told them,lie.had been working for a man in the Donald district for two years. His father lived at Footseray, and his mother died seven years ago. Ho was a member of the South Yana. T.ry Boys’ Society. His employer bought most of his clothing, gave him 10s a week and keep, and sent a small amount at intervals to the Try Boys’ Society, which had procured him tlie position, He stated that three broom handles had been broken over him by his employer one one. occasion because he took <1 piece of cake when lie was hungry, without having obtained permission. Another time, when he took seven biscuit’s, lie was kicked and punched by his employer, who finished off the assault by standing on the boy’s neck ns he lay helpless on the ground. Kicks were also iris portion because he was too weak to lift some bags of wheat, and lie was whipped witli a stockwhip if ho did not bring in the cows quickly enough. His feet at the time were broken out, owing to a heavy pair of boots which tore the soles open.

Towards file latter end of his service with the man in the Donald district, he alleged that.he was kept on a chain so that he could not get away or reach the food. First the chain was placed round his wrist, Unit he got, out of it, and it was then placed round his neck. During the tyst two days of his service be was on the chain all the tirrie. Once before lie had been on the chain all day, and was forced to sleep with it round Lis neck. When he asked for bags to lie on tlie was. kicked. Medical opinion is that tlie boy’s story is consistent with his condition, and the doctor's say he shows signs of- wanton neglect. The hoy told the police that his employer took him to the Watchem railway station and bought him a ticket to fyvneton, though 1 lie wanted to go to Melbourne. He will be. weeks in The hospital before he recovers from the handling he ]ias r vy i cp.iyed, tl , (