PATHOS ON SHIPBOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1923, Page 4

PATHOS ON SHIPBOARD

TRAGEDIES IN REAL LIFE. SYDNEY, -May 0. Two strange stories of human misery arc associated with the visit to Australian ports of tire French steamer Louqsor. The first is associated with the pathetic figure of Georges .Terscvel, a man of tragic mien and ■prematurely aged. He is under lock and key, for he is being returned to Noumea, the port for the French island penal settlement in the Pacific, for a crime committed in his youth in a small village in the Cevennes. When first exiled to this distant spot, Georges . repented bitterly, anil was a model prisonoi at the mines. His good conduct gained him ticket-of-leave. He settled down ; ,n the island, and succeeded as a small trader, amassing a fair fortune. All the time ho wanted to see his beloved France. Proposals for complete freedom were re!used, and ho dctcimined in escape from the island. He reached Sydney penniless. Undaunted, Georges • secured n selection, and again made much money. \\ ith little fear of detention, Georges hooked a passage to France, and landed there at hist. Rul the French police tracked him, and, despite-his entreaties, ordered him hack to Noumea.

lint that of Georges .Torsevol. apparently. was not the only heavy heart aboard the Louqsor. A forlorn little Arab was in the depth of despondency, waiting his chalice to pseape on to British soil and throw himself under the protection of what he called "his” flag _tho I*uion Jack. That chance came in '.Melbourne, mid when ho availed himself of it. it was only a few hours before lie was in the hands of plainclothes Constable Synott, who had a warrant for his arrest for leaving the ship. But ’flamed Neil pleaded and prayed not to he taken hack to ihe ship, and his strange story ended up with vet stranger adventures for the constable. The Arab related that he had been “shanghaied” at Colombo, and alleged that he had been consistently ill-treated on board. Impressed l:v the earnestness of the man, the constable took him to the Louqsor, which was lying at a berth in the river b aira. The constable says that he was met hr a nelite French officer who spoke English excellently. io this officer Constable Synott said that Neil h°d complained of sickness, and the officer said, “Then we shall take him idling to the ship’s doctor.” The three began to walk towards the doctor's surgery, lull as they approached the men's quarters the officer (the constable alleges) rapped out an order in French, ami six seamen rushed out, seized the Amli, and Bcv't him up noil down oil the deck. ’When the Arab was lying helpless, the constable says, the moil lien-an to kick him. Aided by a Custom-: officer (Mr Ball), Constable Syn- , ii charged the six seamen, and dispersed them. ‘•This mail is a British subject,” said Constable Synott. "and wo demand his protection." The French officer smiled politely, and indicated by signs that he did not unilerstanil anything the constable said. Constable Synott says that he Ich hinisell to ho ill a delicate position. He believed that he had no right on ihe vessel, which he regarded as being really French territory, and that the officer could order him off; hut lie could not leave the frightened little Arab after what lie had seen. “.Me no stop,” screamed Neil, mid in a wild dash fie ran across lli;- deck and jumped into the river. He

rapidly swam down the river until two men in" a coal lighter rescued him and took him to the wharf. Once off the ship; Colonel Sydnott could take what (jetton he thought best to protect Nell, so he took him to the city watehhouse, and charged him with attempted selfmurder.

When the facts were related in the Melbourne City Court the following day the Bench, yielded to the insistent pleading of the little Arab, and ordered that arrangements should be made for his return to Colombo.