SHOCKING BRUTALITY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4565, 6 November 1875, Page 1 (Supplement)

SHOCKING BRUTALITY

A correspondent of the Auckland Evening Star 13 responsible for the following : "Whilst the ship Bartholemew Gosnokl, recently arrived at the Bay of Islands, was lying at Strong's Island, Solomon Group, repairing and stopping leak in August last, two Tahitiau sailors deserted ou account of being so ilttreated by the captain and chief officer. As soon as the vessel was repaired, the captain sent the vessel to sea, himself remaining with the second officer and boat's crew to try and find these two Tahitians. After a long search, the two men were found on the top of a very high tree. The captain, so enraged, gave immediate orders to the seamen to cut the tree down, but they refused. The captain then ordered some of the islanders, who set to work to cut it down. When half through, the King of the island wished the captain to let the tree remain, as the men would soon come down for water and something to eat, but_ this inhuman captain would not heed his entreaties. Before the tree fell the two poor unfortunate Tahitians bound their eyes with parts of their clothing, so as not to see their approaching fate.. After the tree had fallen on to the rocks below, one poor fellow was found to be completely crushed, the flesh being torn from his body and his entrails protruding. Although quite unconscious, lie lingered long enough to reach the ship, about five miles from the land, then expired. The body was put into a canvas bag and thrown into the sea. The other poor fellow is still on board the vessel, suffering, very much from the fall, and is at times quite insane. This is one of the greatest acts of inhumanity ever perpetrated amongst the Pacific Islands by a ship-master, who pretends to be an upholder of the Church Mission in America. What can be expected from the poor savages but revenge on the 'first European who may land on the island. Such an act of cruelty and disgrace to mankind ought to be looked to by the proper authorities on his arrival in New Bedford."