A Ballade of Bashful Butterfat.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20363, 21 July 1934, Page 10

A Ballade of Bashful Butterfat.

Russell swore that when in a boat alongside, after bringing the captain on board, he had been ordered by a midshipman to unship a rullock and refused. The captain heard this, and when he came on deck look him into the cabin, then sent everyone else out, seized him by the hair and struck him with a poker. The captain then forced Russell down on his knees • and flogged him in that position with a one and a-half inch rope for a considerable time. He was also compelled to ask pardon of the captain and the officers. He added that in the morning he was unable to work, that the captain threatened to cut him to pieces, and that he was in danger of his life. Captain Westgarth, although denying that he struck Russell with a poker, when too thick a piece of rope was offered as evidence of the flogging, offered to send for a smaller piece which he had used. He thought he might have been severe or perhaps wrong in giving Russell the beating, but he had heard the second mate giving orders to the men in the boat, and this man had replied, “ Come dfc and do it yourself.” Twelve other seamen of the vessel stated that they wished to get clear of the ship, in consequence of the treatment that Russell had received. They claimed that Caplam Westgarth had said to them that he would any of them the same way if they insulted him in the same manner. The Bench fined the captain £5 for the assault, half of which, at his request, he was ordered to pay to Russell if he returned to duty. But the thirteen seamen iefused to go on board again and were committed to gaol for three months.

Vagrant Verse

By SINBAD. JpROM day to day, in “ Times ” or " Star,” Commercial notes you may descry Which indicate how, near and far, Consumers all products buy. Thus you may hear that meat is high; (Not easy, sometimes, to deny it) But oft the tidings meet the eye That cheese and butter both are quiet. All vocal exercise .they bar; Not theirs to yodel to the sky, Though honey’s firm within its jar, Or eggs in dubious supply. Though sheepskins may with tallow vie, While pork, for those who seek to buy it, Is in demand straight from the sty, Yet cheese and butter both are quiet. How sensitive the markets are! The price of wool, a while gone by, Leapt like a Himalay-an thar, But dairy produce still is shy. Those who for merry music sigh Must seek Jardine or maybe Wyatt; Tfye rest is silence from the kye, ' For cheese and butter both are quiet. Some day, perhaps, we’ll hear their cry (I’ve known some cheese th2t was a riot) ; But till that blissful time draws nigh Both cheese and butter will stay quiet.