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UNUSUAL EXPERIENCES.

STOWING AWAY EXTRAORDINARY.

Tlio exporioncos of those on board the Charles EJward on her last trip routid tho coast were of a most unique character. During the voyagp depredations took place in a most mysterious manner, and to such an extent, in fact, that some of the crow were suspected of secretly purloining articles <f wearing apparel, food, etc, Ib was an open secret that throo coats had mysteriously disappeared, to« gether with forty rounds of ammunition, three collars, four necktieu, as well as handkerchiofs, knives, water bottles, cruets, candles, bread, butter, sugar, matches, and tomatoes. It was also discovered that the bar door in the saloon had boon broken open, the drawer lock picked, and several glasses were found to bo missing. A Btrict watch waB then net, and although the vessel jour* neyed from Nelson to Westport, thence to Greymouth and back to Weutport, and then on to Wanganui, it was not until her arrival in \Vellington from the latter port that a clue to the perpetrator was found. Even then it was only with some difficulty that the author of all the mischief was brought to light by the discovery of a boy, who gave his name as Arthur Johnston. This young so imp lud secreted himself in an unused locker undor the abin stairway, whioh is merely used as a reccp'aclo of old chains, fire bars, etc., the cntranco to which is a small door, some 18m square, just large enough for » boy to crawl through. In this extr*ordinary place ho had lived for six days, and most lavishly, if one may judge from the oitablea that had been stolen. The cunningneaa of the boy was displayed by the fact that ho only ventured from his hiding place when the vessel was in port, and when everything was still, and ho took particular care to fasten the outside button of the door when inside himself, to make it appear as if the door had not been touched. He used the coats to Ho upon, but one which did not take his fancy apparomly, was again deposited to its proper place hacked about, and stripped of the trimmings. Part of his timo ho was employed in tearing off the tops of forty cartridges, tho contents of which wore 6trown broadcast. It is believed ho dostroyed tho cartridges because he heard the steward declare that he would shoot tho thief if he discovered him. Most of tho candles were burnt, and in order to disguise himself, he cut off his hair with a stolen knife. He had a particular liking for tomatoes, apparently. Mr A. Fordham had placed a plate of tomatoes on tho saloon table, and his astonishment can bo better imaginod than described when on returning Bhortly afterwards he found tho tomatoes had departed and no truce of them left. At that timo matters becamo so warm that one of die crow really began to consider whether ho was a victim of somnambulism, and had been causing the mischief himself unconsciously. However, it was dccidod to bring matters to a head. A thorough search of the cabin was made, with tho result that some rusty nail marks were discovered leading to tho stowaway's hiding place, and on opening the door Mr Fordham's gaze was met by a pair of glistoning eyes peering from the darkness. Mr Fordham threatened to shoot the "unknown," using this as a ruso to bring him out, but Master JohnHton cunningly dodged behind the partition. Eventually, however, ho was iuducod to emerge, and he is said to have presonted a very deplorable sight, covered from head to foot with iron rust, and with his hair cut off. Johnston ovi* dontly meant to bid adieu to tho Oharlos Edward that day, as ho had oarofully packed his accumulation in a sugar bog, almost as big as himself. He was imme-» diately handed over to the polica at Wellington, to whom he told tho story that his mother lived in Oxford Terrace, Christchurch, and ho left that city a fortnight ago on tho buffer of a railway engine, which carried him as far as Lyttelton. There he stowed away on a steamer, and went to Nelson, saw the sights of that town, and wont back to sea as above described. Tho Wellington polico failed to obtain any information regarding tho boy from the address given by him. The Nelson polico have, however, been communicated with on tho matter, aud thoro seems to belittle doubt that he ia iho boy Willis, one of tho missing boys wlio made their escape from the Stoko Orphanage last weok. It is needless to add that tlu so connected with the Charles Edward wero much grabbed at tho capture of this most extraordinary boy, whoso further escape would probably have led to much unpleasantness to thoso whu were really innocent. It would bo very diflicult for even hii expert criminal to rival tho doings of this boy, who is but twelve years of age.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NOT18950417.2.4

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8162, 17 April 1895, Page 1

Word count
Tapeke kupu
837

UNUSUAL EXPERIENCES. STOWING AWAY EXTRAORDINARY. North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8162, 17 April 1895, Page 1

UNUSUAL EXPERIENCES. STOWING AWAY EXTRAORDINARY. North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8162, 17 April 1895, Page 1

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