LABOUR OUTRAGE IN THE PACIFIC. Heavy Sentence on Offenders.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 83, 3 January 1885, Page 3

LABOUR OUTRAGE IN THE PACIFIC. Heavy Sentence on Offenders.

The Chief Justice of Queensland delivered sentences in the kidnapping cases on Monday, 15th inst. Lewis* Shaw (master) and Harry Schofield (Government agent), of the Hopefu], were sentenced to imprisonment for life, the first three years to bo passed in irons. Freeman (first mato) was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, the first two in irons Rogers and Preston (able seamen) were each sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, the first year in irons. Christopher MiJls(Governmentagent), of tho Ethel, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment ; but, on account of his age, irons were not inflicted. George Burton, mate on board the Ethel, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, the first year in irons. A deputation waited upon the Premier on Friday to enj deavour to obtain a mitigation of the sentence. The Premier, in reply, said that if the evidence were true, the murders were as brutal as anything that had ever been committed. He had received reports which had not been previouslymade public, and which said that on one^occasion natives decamped with the ship's boat. The crew of the Hopeful followed, and shot 38, and at another place 2, of the natives. His report was received from Mr Milman. The report also said that while the Hopeful was at Teste Island 21 natives tried to escape by swimming ashore and two of them were drowned. A woman who was among the number who escaped received a wound on the head from a tomahawk carried by one of the interpreters. The letter received from Mr Armitt said that when between South and East Capes the boats were sent ashore, and among other recruits obtained two brothers. The mother came down and asked one to stop with hor. The man in. charge of the boat told "Alec," the interpreter, to ca+ch her. He jumped on shore and struck 'the woman on the head with his tomahawk, and threw- her into the boat. The natives who saw;' the act speared two white men. Another boats; went to the rescue, opened fire, and sbofc three of the natives. Other outra£©sdvere; also reported. The Premier mid fchafc he would give the matter, hfe gggipigj fafa^ wOll< ♦ ; '