A WHITE SLAVE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1216, 19 June 1885, Page 3

A WHITE SLAVE.

In the Wellington Police Court last week Frank Mason, about 12 or 13 years of age, was charged with deserting his master’s employment on the 30th of April last. Mr Sh iw defended. Edwin Bannis er sail that Mason was hound to him by inden tures. Tlie boy had previously been in the employ of the Rev. H, Vere White, of Greyiown, hut he having no f .rther use fo him transferred him to Mr Bannister, who paid Mr White L 7 10s as a consideration for the transfer. To Mr Shaw : Dili not arrange to pay the hoy any wages, but occasionally gave him a shilling or two. The boy was willing to he transferred. Mr Shaw rea l the original indentures of apprenticeship, which covenanted that the boy should he taught the trade or business of his master (a clergyman). The boy had he n brought np at Wilson’s Hospital. Westmeath, and rrticled by the trustees and guardians to the Rev. H. V. White as a domestic servant, and to he taught his mnster’s art for four years, 1882. Mr Shaw said that the boy had evidently been kidnapped from home aa a white slave by a parson, and had beet kept doing house slavery until the parson had no further use for him, when he sold, him for L 7 10s to feed a farmer’s pigs, etc' The boy would not remain with Mr Bannister. Ht had written nome to his father, and the reply was that the father was not a consenting oarty to any -ucli arrangem nt. Cioss-examiuation continued : Prosecutor he had not brought up the boy to any trade ; he was doing ordinary farm work. Hed be n with him about eighteen months. To Mr Wardell: Widied to enforce the agreement. To Mr Shaw ; The boy had been away from his employ for about six weeks before his arrest. He was found at the house of a Mr Doherty, about half a mile from prosecutor’s house, but he was entirely ignorant of the boy’s whereabouts. Mr Shaw called attention to an alleged informality in the execution of the indentures, according to the English law, as not being sign' d by the parent or guardian of the boy. Furthermore, no proof of the signature of the parties had been offered. On these points Mr Wardell deferred judgment fora week.

The Pi ess thus comments on the case: “White slavery in Wellington. One clergvman sella a little boy to another man for L 7 10s. Young rascal runs away wi'h himself,and robs his master of L 7 10s worth of boy’s meat, ao young, yet so depraved. R.M. says white slavery quite lawful and proper if the technical details are correct. Wanted 500 able-bodied boya,with correct technical details, and warranted not to run away. Apply to the Rev, Simon Legree, B. A. What does B.A. stand for when used in that sense ? Boy Annihilator ! "