A HARD CASE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 453, 25 March 1909, Page 2

A HARD CASE.

Eytteeton, March 23,' Strange circumstances have cometo light in connection with a man named Baldwin, a steerage passenger by the Fifeshire. He went to England in 1906 for the benefit of his health and returned by the Fifeshire, intending to go home to Invercargill, where he lived for 30 years. Being partially paralysed in the legs the Customs Department in Auckland refused to allovj him to land under section 4 of the Immigration Restriction Act. The man had been living on board all the time the vessel was on the coast and has yainly tried to communicate with his relatives. He presumes they do not want him. . Mr Eaurenson, M.P., wired to the Minister for Customs*, sug- ’ gesting that Clause 17 cohered the*, case, releasing returning Nety, Zealanders from the prohibition and expected the man would be released. East night Baldwin took the law into his own hands and came ashore with his belongings, presumably having had some assistance. He has not been found. If he had stayed on board and ho J alteration was made in the attitude > of the officials he would have been compelled to return to England in the vessel which sails to-day. Much indignation is expressed that an old resident, with a family in the colony, having gone to England in search of health, should be prevented from returning on, account of his infirmity, especially as the paralysis is alleged to have been contracted during his employment in Invercargill. v ;