THEFT FROM SHOP IN LINER

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 145, 15 March 1939, Page 11

THEFT FROM SHOP IN LINER

Two Of Strathallan’s Crew Charged CUSTOMS SEAL BROKEN Lift Boy And Stewards’ Assistant In Court The arrest of two youths, members of the crew of the P. and O. cruise liner Strathallan, shortly before the ship left Wellington for Sydney on Monday night was followed by the appearance in the Magistrates’ Court yesterday of Frank William Chalmers, lift boy, aged 17, and Victor Jack Bonny, stewards’ assistant, aged 19. They pleaded guilty to the theft of jewellery and other articles from a shop on board the liner, and were remanded by Mr. W. F. Stilwell, S.M., to appear in Wellington again on March 22 for sentence.

Detective-Sergeant P. Doyle, who prosecuted, said the police had no desire for the two accused to be kept in New Zealand. The shipping company was prepared to return them to England, 'but did not have a vessel leaving before the Kent, which *was scheduled to sail on March 23. ‘‘l would suggest that they be remanded till March 22 for sentence,’ the detective-sergeant added. Accused were jointly charged with the theft of eight gold wristlet watches, four stainless steel wristlet watches, a pendant watch, live cigarette eases, a camera, a travelling clock, three compacts, a set of cuff links, and a souvenir brooch -the property of Army and Navy Stores, London. The articles were valued at £4B. Army and Navy Stores, said Detec tlve-Sergeant Doyle, had a contract to sell jewellery and other articles on board P. and 0. ships, and when the Strathallan, in the course of her New Zealand cruise, arrived at Auckland last Friday the store was sealed up by Customs officers, ft was subsequently discovered that the seal had been broken and several articles were found to be missing from the store.

When the Strathallan arrived at Wellington from Auckland on Monday morning, Detectives W. J. Hedley, W. Ritchie and G. Cleary boarded the vessel and carried out investigations which Listed all day. On Monday night they were successful in recovering all the stolen property with the exception of five watches.

“Where will the accused be kept in the meantime?” asked the magistrate, after Detective-Sergeant Doyle had suggested a remand till March 22.

Mr. Doyle: There is only one place, I’m afraid, where they eau be kept, and that is in jail. The magistrate: I would like you to consider whether there are any other means of keeping them apart from ordinary prisoners, if possible. Mr. Doj’le: That can ibe done. sir.

'l’he magistrate: I would not like them to be prejudiced any more than is absolutely necessary. Mr. Doyle: This is particularly so lu the case of Chalmers. I have no doubt the other accused was the ringleader.