SMUGGLING CHINESE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 205, 19 August 1908, Page 4

SMUGGLING CHINESE

NINE .STOWAWAYS CAPTI'UED. HLDDEN ON TUE 150 ILEUS. Nine Chinese stowaways on board the Herman mail steamer Prinz Waldcmar , were captured alter midnight about a week ago in Sydney by [De-tective-inspector of Customs Donohoe. When the Prinz Waldemar arrived from the Hast a stall' of searchers were sent aboard, but though ihey made a systematic tour of the vessel could not discover any stowaways. Not satisfied, Detective Donohoe himself went aboard but his efforts were fruitless. Nevertheless the actions of certain members of the alien crew aroused his suspicions, and he had an idea that there were'' men hiding in idle engine room awaiting a favourable opportunity to slip ashore. Donohoe watched tire vessel closely all night, and had everybody who ie.ft her under observation. Wh"ii the Chinese On board Iliad apparently Settled down for the night, Donohoe went on the steamer and •obtained the assistance of Officer Keniry. The -pair donned overalls and made a sudden dash into the engine room, in the hope of effecting a surprise. They were not successful.

The Customs officer and his ally then commenced to probe every eoraer of the engine-room. Finally, after two hours' search, nine figures, literally covered with ashes and grease, were decerned on top of the boilers. Tlrcy were hardly recognisable, so tlhick was the dirt upon them. They wore mustered by Dojiohoe and taken to the lock-up. The" Chinese had been on top of the boilers for 24 hours without moving.