CHARGES AGAINST A MISSIONARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2598, 4 September 1909, Page 3

CHARGES AGAINST A MISSIONARY.

ALLEGED FLOGGING A HALFCASTE GIRL.

COMMISSION DISAGREES.

■ THURSDAY ISLAND, Aug. 19. The findings of the Mapoon inquiry have been made available.

After reviewing the details of the flogging of thei girl Ellen, the report goes on to say:—“Ellen was disobedient in school, and insubordinate for some time previous to'the chastisement. She struck Mrs- Hey during school, on account of which tlie teaching staff decided, 1 that the girl deserved a public whipping, as an example s to the> other children. It must be remembered that this institution is a reformatory school, into which most-degraded and unfortupate children are sent. My opinion is that the superintendent must be allowed considerable latitude to maintain order and discipline. Punishment of a serious nature has been.but seldom considered necessary, as evidenced by the facts that there exist no cells or safe place of confinement; that no handcuffs are on the premises; that there is no proper chain to which inmates could be secured, tlie chain used in this case being scraps of an old anchor chain, the links of which were too long, to be properly placed round the ankle sufficiently tight for safety without inflicting considerable priin. Before, or immediately after, the whipping, the girl receiving 20 or 25 strokes, not 100, Hey placed a daub mixture, consisting' of tar oil or grease, on the girl’s forehead, not on her eyes and mouth, as alleged, as a mark of disgrace. This, however, was not of a lasting nature, and was wiped or rubbed off next morning by the girl herself. The skipping-rope, which was tied to the post, was taken off. The ends of the rope had never even been tied, but only turned in, which made an insecure fastening, and accounted for the girl being able to slip to the ground, struggling to save her limbs; and I believe the rope was loosened by tlioso methods, and not as stated by Baltzer, by himself, on seeing the girl in a fainting condition. Then a chain was put on her, secured by a padlock, round her ) neck, preventing her escaping from confinement; and Ellen was told she would have to remain chained until slio apologised to Mrs Hey. If she had escaped from confinement the results would have been most disastrous for the girl herself, with, one or two ■ hundred natives out in the hush. The effect of the whipping she received was not of a permanent nature, though naturally painful. One girl stated that there was blood on her legs. This was not corroborated by the others, who saw the marks of the cuts immediately after the whipping, and described the nature of the marks to Mrs Hey and Mrs Ward, who did not evidently consider it necessary to make any further examination. During confinement she received the same food as the other girls. Ellen was taken out to the post every morning, and again fastened to it until the Friday, the whipping being inflicted on the Tuesday. When she apologised to Mrs Hey she was at once released, returned to 'school, and resumed her ordinary avocations. The whipping or some other measure was no doubt merited. Though painful at the time and severe enough to cause a lasting impression on the girl’s mind, I am of opinion that the methods adopted for the safeguarding of her person and preventing her escaping were warranted under the peculiar conditions Hey, was in at the time. No suggestion of cruelty or harshness on the part of Hey cropped up during the course of inquiry, though plenty of opportunities were given Baltzer,- He made 27 other charges, which were investigated. Some were considered .so frivolous as not to merit inquiry, while the rest were proved to the satisfaction of the presiding magistrates as based on incorrect information, and dismissed on the merits.

(Signed) HUGH MILMAN, Police Magistrate. Mr Jardine’s finding was very terse. It reads:' “After listening attentively to and.carefully considering and weighing the evidence taken at Mapoon, I am of opinion that the punishments indicted by Mr Hey and his assistants were carried out with unnecessary harshness: and undeserved severity, more especially when their calling is taken into consideration. “(Signed) FRANK L. JARDINE, J.P.” The Chief Protector of Aborignes’ (Mr Howard’s) report reads: First, Hey in evidence admits having flogged a helpless girl in a most cruel manner for what could not be considered other than a childish offence. This unfortunate creature was tied to a post, whipped with a stingarep tail in a heartless manner, and afterwards chained by the neck to a post. Second, the instrument used as a whip is acknowledged to he of a most severe description, namely, a stingaree tail. Third. Mrs Ward’s evidence confirms that of Hey, and-although admittirig the punishment was severe, says he would have chastised a. white child in the same manner for a similar offence. There can he no doubt that Ellen was most cruelly treated. It is also evident that the other natives have been beaten in- a more or less severe manner with tlie full knowledge of Hey. As Chief Protector, I feel) it my bounden duty to lay before you my views on the matter. I can’t conceive how those who profess to teach the higher principles of religion and humanity could so prostitute their calling by such inhuman actions as those disclosed to me, The. whole matter is of a most unpleasant'nature, and I sincerely hope I shall never again be called upon to deal with a similar case.

I. ■ . Consumption! kills nearly 40,000 persons every year, in England.

In some parts of Now Zealand, introduced quail, although thriving well at first, have mysteriously, died out, until hardly an* individual is left. In other parts they have increased abundantly. The Otago Acclimatisation Society recently authorised a man to secure a number of quail, if possible, in order that they might be sent to other parts of the country. He spoilt‘four days at Tarrac Station, in Central Otago, and lias reported that the birds are there literally in thousands, appearing to thrive out in the open runs. He was, however unable to catch any. The birds are very sliy, and can only be easily taken alive when a heavy fall of snow is on the ground.