THE FERRET FRAUD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2535, 6 May 1881, Page 2

THE FERRET FRAUD.

Telegrams from Melbourne announce the arrest of the master of a steamer sailing as the “India ” from Mauritius on a charge of sailing under false colors, the real name of the vessel being “ The Ferret.” The adventures of the Captain and his steamer are thus furnished by a contemporary About the middle of October last a gentleman giving the name of Walker called on a leading firm of ship store merchants in Glasgow, represented that he was acting as broker for a gentleman of means who was going on along yachting cruize, and desired to favor the firm with the contract for the provisioning of the vessel. References were asked and found to be satisfactory. It was stated that the vessel hud been chartered from the Highland Railway company. It was also given out, more by ambiguous allusion' than by direct assertion, that the person for whom Mr Walker appeared was named Smith, and a relative of the late First Lord of the Admirably. The goods, were therefore, supplied, including, it is rumored, a largo stock of the highest class wines from London. The name of the vessel is (or was) the Ferret. She is a screw steamer £t long. 23ft broad, and

deep, having a gross measurement of 347 tons. Having completed their task of providing, for six months the merchants presented their bill amounting to £2,490. To liquidate this account Mr Walker gave his acceptance at three months’ date, but the firm asked Mr Smith also to sign the bill, which was done. When the acceptance became due it was presented in regular course, but it was dishonored—Mr Walker’s balance having been lifted and the account closed after the bill was granted. Inquires were at once set on foot as to the whereabouts of the Ferret, but these proved fruitless. When she left the Clyde she was taken round to Cardiff by a crew of runners, who then left her—the only ones standing by being the captain and engineers. At this poit she shipped a’new crew,and having coaled started on Her cruise. The Highland Railway Company from whom the vessel had been chartered, having got no charter money from the parties since they sailed from Glasgow, put themselves in com. munication with Lloyd's and the Board of Trade, and through Lloyd’s agents and the British Consuls enquiries were made all ovei the world, with the view of tracing the vessel. A number of other traders and shopkeepers in Glasgow by the promise of cash in 14 days, and so forth, were led into furnishing Mr Smith and Mr Walker with some silver plate and cutlery, others with nupery, and others again, with china and crystals, etc. Altogether the accounts .left unpaid in Glasgow are estimated at over £2OOO.