OTHER ALLEGED CRUELTIES.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 156, 12 June 1886, Page 2

OTHER ALLEGED CRUELTIES.

Statements of the Steward and a Seaman. , Thomas Cook, seaman, says :: — *• I have reason to complain of ill-treattneut since the vessel left New Bedford. The tirst officer assault ad me for no reason whatever. He kicked me on the side and back. I told him after that I was sick. He hauled off again, and struck me on the cheat with hie fist. I have been comparatively unable to do anything on board since about three monthe after I joined the ship through sickness. I complained to the captain that my arms were partly useless to me. Some days after I was again assaulted by the first mate who threw a club at me. It missed, when he caught me by the throat and legs, and threw me over the windlass. He then kicked me. 'After leaving Norfolk Island I told the captain of my inability to work. He came and hauled me out. I went on deck and worked. 1 have einee been subject to fits. The captain recently Etruck mo 4 or 5 times on the face with his fist, from the effects of which I had a black eye. Before coming in to Russell the captain took away my clothes. I have not been ashore since in consequence. I omitted to state that through my gemi-paralytic condition I fell from the fore-top-maet and received serious injuries, which caused me to fear again to go aloft. The captain threatened to club me if I did not. Arthur Hutchineon, steward, says: "On the morning of December 6th, I went on deck for some water. The mate asked why the coffee was not ready. I told him I had to wash my hands first. He struck me on the face with his fist and knocked me down. I got up, and be kept pounding me. He caught hold of the pitcher and struck me with it on the forehead, inflicting two wounds, one four inches long, Tho scare are visible on my 'forehead. From loss of blood I became weak, and had to get assistance to do my work the day following."

Statement of a Fijian Seaman.. A Fijian called James says : One day when I was on the topsail the mate wan giving orders. I could not understand. He ran aloft with a big club and struck me twice on the head. I was stunned, and Bayed myself from falling by grasping the mast. When 1 recovered, I ,felt the blood streaming down my head from a wound. The scar is visible yet. Since that I have been Btruck and kicked about by the came officer."

Story of Harry, a Kanaka. From information received, the police deemed it advisable to board the Petrel on May 31st 'to interview a seaman named , Harry (a Kanaka), and others who were known to have complaints of ill-treatment. After interviewing and receiving the complaints of the seamen, the police requested, in the presence of the Consul, to be allowed to see Harry. To their surpripe, they were told be was ashore with the boat's crew. The police repaired thither, and, accompanied by the Consular Agent, saw Harry .lying down on the beach, unable to stand. 'At the request of the police, the Consular Agent advised Harry to be taken to an hotel for medical treatment. The doctor After examining Harry's leg, which the fttter said vas broken, ordered the man to toe sent to the hospital for treatment. The police visited Harry on the following day. He stated:—"My leg was broken in January 23rdj I was laid up two months. The first j day when I was assisted on deck the captain told me to stand up and walk about. I did so supported on crutches, became dizzy, and felt down, breaking my leg •gam. My limbs and arms are now comparatively useless. I have been two months

and three day* left In bed without anyone changing me. lam not aware that the doctor visited me at Norfolk Island.' When the police came on board yesterday, the fourth officer lowered me into the boat by a rope, and took me to Watering Bay. , I don't ?euppose I would have been brought ashore but for the assistance of the

police. A MAN TALLB OVERBOARD. 1C John D. Reid; seaman, Bthtea that>a rain named Henry Lake was unwell wtien.-be; shipped. ?>•" Hii 8^ 66*"*^ awoollen. I saw him beaten by the mate and second mate with a rope's end with a big knot. I saw the mate' take hina^^down the forehold, strip and scrub Kirn "with * 'briok filt until his face and body became raw, and blood flowed from the wounds.'. "I' could bear Lake shouting and pleading for mercyjr " * Oh;" God,-let me up:- I^will behave myself,' I have heard the .mate and captain object to Lake^ f when in a feeble etato, to go round the house. On.the evening when Lake wae drowned I saw him over the bulwarks of the sbiPi where be had heen compelled to go by orders. Suddenly the vessel gave a lurch, and Lake went overboard and was drowned." The entry in the log relative to the drowning of Lake states that the man had gone over the head of the vessel, there 1 being no water-closet, and the ship lurching, a sea took him off.