KILLING NO MURDER.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 31, 3 February 1877, Page 3

KILLING NO MURDER.

The Melbourne "Argus " of Jan. 6th thus describes a very harrowing affair on ship-board : — John Howard Southern, 17 years of age, late an apprentice on the ship Antiope, at present lying at the Sandridge pier, died m the Melbourne Hospital on the 2nd inst. from fracture of the spine. According to the evidence adduced at the inquest, he was sent several times during the morning of that day by the first or second mate to the masthead, and by way of recruiting his strength after this light and exhilarating exercise he was permitted to spend the dinner-hour m the foretop. This was clone no doubt, m order that he might learn to restrain his carnal appetite, and support a young and growing organisation on a supply of air. When his superiors duly refreshed themselves andrecruited their exhausted strength with the viands which sailors affect, this favored boy was once more ordered to indulge m a little gymnastic exercise. It was not sufficient that he had been up and down repeatedly m the forenoon, and kept without any dinner more solid than that we have described. Tins was not enough to chasten his spirit, and subdue any of the old Adam that might be m him. To the work he must go again. "On the last occassion," said John Williams, a seaman on board the vessel, "he complained that his arms were tired, and that he could not then go up again." According to the same witness, he urged, " I cannot do it to-day, but I will try to do it to-morrow." The mate, however, insisted upon his going up at once, and the deceased did so, crying. However, his tears were soon dried. In a few minutes he was seen tumbling from aloft, and before the chief mate could have time to conclude one of those nautical blessings on Ms eyes and limbs which are very common afloat, John H. Southern, aged 17, was lying senseless on the Antiope, with his back broken. It is evident that lie was a very unaccommodating lad. Here were Messrs Hewly and Bisson conducting most interesting experiments on his powers of endurance, when he must needs go and kill himself simply because his natural powers would not bear the strain put upon them. What do you think of the case, reader? What, we wonder, will his mother think of the case? The jury considered that the mates — gallant seamen — were " highly blamable," but the idea of mates being blamable for merely killing a boy is palpably absurd. Last of all, we should like to know what Mr Bewley thinks of the case. What name does his conscience give to this act P If it is silent now, perhaps it will answer some day when a ship is sinking under him."