THE ATHENIC'S TRIP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 231, 28 March 1912, Page 5

THE ATHENIC'S TRIP.

ALLEGED DISGRACEFUL HAPPENINGS. DENIED BY THOSE IN AUTHORITY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Wednesday. Mr. H. G. Gilbert, of Knox College, Dunedin, writes to the Dominion stating that the improprieties and immoralities that take place on certain steamers call for the most immediate attention of the Government. After all due allowances for the crowding of several hundred persons on the steamer, he avers there were, during the Athenic's trip, "happenings that can be described only as a reproach and disgrace, and among those chiefly concerned were certain girls whose expenses to New Zealand had been largely met by the people of this country. " He argues that sufficient care is not exercised in the selection of immigrants. With the letter Mr. Gilbert sent a declaration by eleven fellow-passengers endorsing his complaint. Captain Kempsen, of the Athenic, considers the statements without foundation. He had one statement made to him, but on inquiry could get no evidence in substantiation. Some of the girls might be inclined to have a romp, but people have varying ideas as to unseemly conduct. The matron, Miss Peters, gives the letters a flat contradiction. All the girls under her care behaved quite properly. There were two, inclined to be gay, who left the ship at Hobart.