VON LUCKNER’S LAUNCH.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1918, Page 1

VON LUCKNER’S LAUNCH.

A CLAIM THAT FAILED. * SUVA (Fiji) 'July 10th. When Count von Luekner was captur? od there was a sum of money found on the C'ocilio, which was the name of the boat in which lie was taken prisoner. At a sitting of the Supreme Court at Fiji, in Prize, the motor launch and the money were disposed of and . condemned as good and lawful prize. If von Luekner had been reasonable he might have been much hotter off. When he first surrendered to Sub-Inspector Hills lie said that part of the money was liis and part of it belonged to the ship, in an application or claim lie made later lie claimed the whole of tho money. In a later claim ho claimed the whole of the money and a roll of notes which he said was on the launch, but which was not found bv Sub-Inspector Hills or anybody else. The sum of money was £489, in Bank of England notes and gold, so that it was worth putting up a' light for. “There would have boon no application to the Court,” said the AttorneyGeneral Hon. A. K. Young, K. C.) “if it'bad been made by Count von Luekner claiming the whole of the sum.” His Honour Sir Charles Davison ruled as above, so that the launch and money go to the Crown. The launch is to be used by one of the commissioners.