Chinese Stowaways Discovered on Tofua

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1041, 4 August 1930, Page 1

Chinese Stowaways Discovered on Tofua

HIDDEN AMONG CASES SUGGESTION OF SMUGGLING Was a deliberate attempt made to smuggle two Chinese into Auckland on the Tolua? Soon after the vessel left Suva, on her trip to Auckland, they were found in the hold hidden among cases of fruit. This morning the police took charge of them when the Tofua arrived at Queen’s Wharf. The two Chinese had apparently hidden themselves in the hold before the vessel left Suva. They were discovered by one of the ship’s officers some days out when he made a search of the vessel. It is thought that the Chinese must have been assisted in secreting themselves among the cases of fruit. Their hiding place was surrounded by netting and as one man said this morning, “It would have been impossible for a rhinoceros beetle to get in or out.” Tlio opinion was expressed this morning that the Chinese had gone on to the Tofua while she was loading cargo at Suva and that other Chinese had helped them to hide among the fruit which was stacked deep in the hold, Apparently they had taken some food to sustain them on the journey to Auckland. In all probability the Chinese will be shipped back to Suva on the outward trip of the Tofua and their passages will be charged against them. For some time past no Chinese have been allowed into New Zealand except for a limited time, after which they must leave the Dominion. IN POLICE COURT The two Chinese, dressed in light tropical clothes, appeared at the Police Court this morning. “What can we do with them?” asked Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.. “We can only send them back again.” Sub-Inspector Shanahan said that neither accused spoke English and there was no interpreter xjresent. The Chinese had been discovered by the chief officer of the Tofua. The chief officer said he was sure the Chinese could speak English. "It wa* a case of ‘no savee’ when I questioned them, though,” he added. Mr. Hunt adjourned the case until this afternoon. Lip Man, aged 24, and Yoe Joe, aged 18, pleaded not guilty to stowing away on the Tofua at Suva on August 1. Through an interpreter, they said that though they did not belong to the crew they were not attempting to get a free passage. On the recommendation of Mr. McIntosh, Collector of Customs, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., sentenced both men to 14 days’ imprisonment and to he put aboard the Tofua and returned to Suva if the boat sailed before the expiration of the sentence.