AFRICA’S BLACK PLAGUE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 71, 16 November 1912, Page 6

AFRICA’S BLACK PLAGUE.

Miner’s Wife Rudely Wakened. NIGHT PROWLER PUNISHED. Mrs A. Collins, who resides at 26a High Rbad, Fordsburg, had an unenviable experience on Friday night in September (says the Johannesburg Sunday Times). It was most fortunate for her that her husband had not gone on night shift. She awoke, according to the story she told Mr Graham Cross, the presiding magistrate of “0” Court, at about 3.30 a.m., ou bearing a noise in the kitchen. . “I though it was a rat,” said the lady, “an/I took no further notice for the time being. But then I heard a table move and some plates rattle, and I immediately became alert. I glued my eyes on my bedroom door, which stood ajar. The electric light was on, but shaded. -Suddenly the door commenced to slowly open, and the next thing I saw was a naked native framed in the doorway.” Mr Frankland, the Public Prosecutor : Had be nothing on at all ?—He was perfectly nude. Did you know the native?—-Yes, I recognised him as the next door kitchen boy. What did he do?—He made a motion with his hand towards the electric light switch as if it were' his intention to put the light out, I then awoke ray husband hy screaming out “Good God, there is a Kaffir in the room.” My husband jumped up, and the native ran out. I then fainted with fright. Mr Frankland: Yonr husband often goes on night shift?—Yes. Ho is an engine driver on the mine and is often on night shift. Would the native know this?—Yes-; because the native used to work for ns for some time. Arthur Collins, the husband of the last witness, said that when ho awoke hy hearing, his wife scream on the morning in question, he distinctly saw the native. Ho was quite nude, and witness had no difficulty in recognising him as the next door kitchen hoy. Ho jumped out of bed and saw the native getting through the dining-room ! window. Mr Frankland: Did you give chase? —No. I was afraid to leave my wife alone as she was in a state of collapse. I reported to the police next morning, and pointed out the native, who was arrested hy Detective James. The native was charged with entering premises at night with, intent to commit a crime, and Mr Cross asked him if he had anything to say. “I havo been arrested on lies. That’s all I have-to say,” remarked the prisoner. “I find yon .guilty,” said the Magistrate. “You will have to go to prison for six months with, hard labour, and receive six lashes.”