Missing Launch Found at Bucklands

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 791, 11 October 1929, Page 1

Missing Launch Found at Bucklands

DISCOVERY OF BABY LU BOAT-SHEDS BROKEN INTO Missing from its moorings in Mechanics’ Bay since Tuesdav evening, the valuable speed launch, Baby Lu, owned by Mr. W. A. Boucher, managing director of Spedding, Limited, has been discovered lyipg half a mile off Buckland’s Beach. Mr. Boucher went down to the spot tiiis morning to identify the craft. The loss of tkd boat was not known to the owner until yesterday morning, when inquiries led to the discovery of a youth in one of the other launches moored in the bay. Yesterday morning Mr. Boucher was summoned by telephone to the boatsheds by Mr. A. Mackenzie, who is employed by Mr. R. D. Rodgers, of Parnell, a co-owner with Mr. Boucher in shed No. 1. It was found that the shed had been entered and a. quantity of benzine removed. Another shed, No. 13, owned by the .Rev. Jasper Calder, had also been broken into and a spirit stove and some tools removed. A locker plainlyshowed the marks of a jemmy. In addition, a dinghy owned by Mr. Boucher was tied to the stern of another launch, owned by Mr. W. J. Bridson. Mr. Mackenzie rowed out to recover the dinghy and found a youth in the launch, with a loaded pea-rifle and two shot-guns and three sheath-knives in his belt. It was apparent that the launch had been used as a camp. The Baby Lu was last seen on Tuesday evening when, according to a seaman on the Miro, two men rowed out to her and climbed on board. The following morning he noticed that the launch was not at its moorings. The launch is a runabout boat 26 feet in length, with white-painted hull and a glassed-in sedan-top painted green. She was purchased by Mr. Boucher two years ago. Representations have recently been made by launch and yacht owners for more police protection on the waterfront and it is stated that many thefts have occurred. On Tuesday evening No. 1 shed was forced open, but nothing was removed.