INCREDIBLE INHUMANITY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 689, 10 February 1881, Page 2

INCREDIBLE INHUMANITY.

A case of inhumanity, almost incredible j'in its gioasnesß, was hoard at the Bristol Assizes recently. Thomas Ames, 23, a lahorer, was indicted for the murder ol Albert Edward Miles, at Bath in August last. Deceased, a buy > nine years old,, met his death in a hick on the Kennetf and Avon canal; He clambered down* the lock antes and commenced fishing. 01 returning up the gates' his foot slipped, and he fell into the water, Tne. prisoner was standing on the side of the look, and saw the deceased struggling in the water about seven feet deep. Some one shouted to him to jump in, and he replied, " Let the little - get out the best way he can." His crie3, however, reached two liovs, named Vowles and Hillier, who, pulling "IF their jackets as they ran tq the lock, immediately jnmped.in, caught thi deceased, and held his head above water liy taking an urni each, and swam towards the gates, intending to hold by them.or swim into the riveri On their way they called to prisoner to throw them soma poles which were on the bank. He did not reply, but began to close the lock gates on the three boys. Although their, progress to the river was thua stopped,' they still hoped to save the deceased'by, clinging to the bottom of the lock gates,, hut to their horror they'saw the prisoner take a winch and began to raise the hatch? ways, A womanjshmited, " For. God's sake don't; you'll drown all three." Prisoner only laughed, and went .on. raising the., hatchways. The sudden rush of water washed the denoaßed out of the hands of his resouers, and they with difficulty savedthemselves, The body was found sucked nndor dose to the hatchway—Prisoner was found guilty of manslaughor, and sentence was deferred. -The Judge, High Sheriff, and Bar raised a subscription to show their appreciation of Vowles and' Hillier's hravory, and the sum of £3 was handed, to each of thorn."