The SS Aparima's Monkey, (?-26/9/1912). "cruelly drowned"

An Act of Callous Cruelty.

MONKEY ALLOWED TO DROWN.

GRINNING EUROPEAN SAILORS.

The Dunedin Star of Thursday last reports: — A monkey was cruelly drowned yesterday afternoon near the sheer-legs at Port Chalmers. The Calcutta trader Aparima was lying under the sheer-legs for the purpose of renewing her big vermilion-colored funnel, and as she was also under overhaul in other respects a considerable number of people in addition to her coolie crew were employed about the decks. A monkey ran along the deck, and was observed by some of the people in its vicinity. They chased it, and to escape from its pursuers the monkey ran along the hawser which stretched seawards from the steamer’s towering stern. Down near where the hawser dipped underneath the surface of the water the monkey came to a standstill, and, clinging to the rope, withstood the endeavours made by its pursuers to throw it into the water by violently shaking the rope to which it so tenaciously hung. Tired of their ineffectual efforts, its tormentors halted. The monkey sat upright, but as it did so a violent shake of the rope threw it into the harbour. The little animal was evidently dazed by its sudden immersion in the cold water, for it swam backwards and forwards until it became so exhausted that it could no longer keep its nose above the choking water. Not the least painful feature of the animal’s five minutes’ unsuccessful struggle was the evident gloating over its extremity by those responsible for its death —and they were not members of the coolie crew.  -Waimate Daily Advertiser, 30/9/1912.

A PORT CHALMERS TRAGEDY.

TO THE EDITOR. 

Sir, — The local in yesterday's 'Star' makes painful reading. Had that poor "done to death" little monkey been able to speak and understand, his story would have been something like the following:— "Leaving my Indian home, I braved the perils of the deep to visit God s Own Country. The dark skinned crew treated me very kindly; my interesting little tricks and antics amused them vastly during the lonely voyage. In India my tribe is sacred. On arrival at Port Chalmers I found myself a source of wonderment. The people in the Port came dawn to see the sport. They said: 'It is a fine day, let us go and hill something' I was marked out to be the victim. There is little to add to your story; but I did wonder if any of the white-skinned cowards would have attacked one of their own size and weight. The Chief Magistrate, the councillors, and the police cannot be proud of the crowd who ended my harmless, merry life. Do they teach cruelty to the dumb in the schools and mosques in this country of enlightened white people, Mr Editor? In a day or two my little body will he consumed by my destroyers when partaking of their morning barracoutta. I hope no harm will be done to them." 

I enclose my card in the shape of a cheque, which please hand to the inspector of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as a contribution towards the expenses, if that deserving body incur any in prosecuting the enlightened Christians who disgraced Port Chalmers.

— I am, etc., Infidel. September 27. 

[We hold our correspondent's cheque meanwhile.—Ed. E.S.]  -Evening Star, 27/9/1912.