AN ABOMINABLE TRAFIC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 359, 5 March 1881, Page 3

AN ABOMINABLE TRAFIC.

After a trial in Brussels, which occupied two days, says the Home News, twelve persons of both 6exes were condemned to various terms of imprisonment upon charges arising out of enticing English girls to come abroad tor the worst of all purposes. The evidence adduced for the prosecution disclosed the fact that an abominable traffic had been long canted betwaen England and Brussels by the prisoners, who were in of tempting girls, by offers of places and otherwise, into accompanying agents on board ships at London, whence they made the passage to Of tend. 'J he captain of some of the steamers on a certain occasion noticed that-amongst his- passengers there were English girls in a state of-intoxication, but who on recovering presented the appearance of being. respectable young women. As they were accompanied by foreigners of a repulsive aspect, the captain had the party followed on .landing, and it was discovered that the victims were tnkeu to a house of bad repute. That occurred in September, 1878, and since then the affair, had been followed up with the re&ult of .the institution of the proceedings which have just ended. Mr Snagge ot the English Bar especially instructed on the part of the English Government, appeared to watch the case on their behalf. The facts having been proved the prisoners were sentenced, the following beinij the heaviest terms of imprisonment: Regier, six years ; Roger, two years ; Land re, eighteen and ( a-half months ,• And ronette, eighteen months ; Meyer, sixeen months; Parent, thirteen months ; and Geaux, one year. The trial occasioned a great deal of sensation, and the Court was crowded to excess.