THEFTS ON STEAMERS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 813, 10 May 1910, Page 5

THEFTS ON STEAMERS.

Sir,—On reading your paper dated April 25,. I read a, letter signed "Passenger." He either does not know anything about flic sea or seamen, or is prejudiced against them. It is quite true there aro men at sea whose character would not bear looking into, and there are others whoso character' is of the highest standard. He says in his letter that a lady had her dressing-case and valuables stolen while lying at i wharf in Sydney. If "Passenger" would only use his eyes a, little he would see that there are more people about the ship than the crew. There are quite a number of people who travel on the boats for the sole purpose of seeing what they can steal. 1 am speaking from facts, having seen it occur when I wns on the Western Ocean boats' from Liverpool to New Yoi-k. Two passengers (saloon) were arrested on arrival at Liverpool for the theft of money, valuables, and securities. He says that the authorities ought to protect the passengers from such things. They do so, and if the passengers would only read the

company's guide and rules carefully instead of talcing a wild glance through them they would know how to act. He also says' that be notices 'that all liu robberies have been done by deck or stokehold hands. That is where he makes a mistake. Some of the charges against them are brought to slik. others, not always though.l do not say. X suppose "Passenger" when he was a victim (if he was) left whatever he lost lying loose around, and other passengers seeing it picked it up. It is very rare that a sailor or fireman ever goes down the cabins, the stewards , will watcithat. Hoping I have not taken up too much of your valuable . space.—l am, etc.. FRANK HUCKERBY, s.B. Harawa. Onehunga, .May 3.