Alien Restriction

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1944, 28 November 1906, Page 1

Alien Restriction

Per ProBS Association. Auckland, yesterday. Ivan Bkirput, a young Austrian passenger, who arrived in Auckland yesterday by the Manuka from Sydney, did not succeed in passing the educational test, having failed to make more literary progress than the signing of his name. Kkirput was detained on the ship yesterday, being locked in his cabin. He somehow managed to escape, but was arrested and came before Mr Kettle, 8.M., in the Police Court, charged as a prohibited immigrant. He stated through an interpreter that the Customs officers had given him a wrong name, his correct one being Resiter. Mr Alexander Rose (Collector of Customs at Auck« land) informed the Court that 2G Austrians came by the Manuka, and 25 passed the education test, Resiter, however, could sign his name “in an indescribable manner,” and li9 thus failed. Custom officer Grant, who imposed the education test on the Manuka, said he could not swear to the identity of Resiter or Skirput. Walter Smith, forecabin steward on the Manuka, Bwore that Resiter was the individual who came over from Sydney and failed to pass tho education teat. He was then locked in a bathroom until dinner time, when he was let out. After the meal he was locked in a cabin, but he escaped through the port hole. Resiter swore that he had been in New Zealand about thirty days. When-he came to Auckland from Sydnoy it was in a sailing vessel, and ho at once left for Parenga, where his brother was a gumdigger. After staying there five days he returned to Auckland with tho object of going to an uncle at Dargavliie. Accused persisted that he wa3 not the prohibited immigrant, and Sergeant Hendry hit upon a method of testing Resiter’s veracity. He asked the young Austrian to' describe Pa renga harbor, and the vessel upon which he sailed, also the sailing vessel on which he came from Sydney. Hs answers were uncertain, and he credited the “ soiling vessel ” with a large yellow funnel. The Magistrate remarlcod that there seemed no doubt about Resiter’s identity, but bo would be given an opportunity of bringing evidence if he could call anyone. The case would be adjourned for this to bs done.