ROBBERY ON LINER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 March 1939, Page 8

ROBBERY ON LINER

STRATHALLAN LEAVES LATE POLICE INVESTIGATIONS. TWO MEMBERS OF CREW ARRESTED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A robbery took place on board the luxury liner Strathallan during her cruise in New Zealand waters in the past few days. Thieves broke into the barber’s shop and stole watches, cigarette cases, a camera, and trinkets, valued at £lOO to £l5O. Prompt investigations by detectives resulted in the recovery of the articles and the arrest of two members of the crew before the liner left Wellington last night for Sydney, her departure being delayed 90 minutes while the police completed their inquiries. The Strathallan arrived at Auckland .last Friday with 950 passengers. She disembarked some 200 of her trippers, who wished to travel overland through the North Island. She sailed on Saturday evening for Wellington On the following day the articles were missed from the barber's shop. As in most large passenger liners, this is more than a mere hairdresser’s booth where according to taste _ passengers can obtain a shave, haircut, or permanent wave; it is a store selling sweets, jewellery, cosmetics, drugs, garments, souvenirs, articles of every lescription. For a pleasure cruise, it is usual to carry valuable stocks. On arrival at Wellington the robbery was at once reported and three detectives started to investigate. They were faced with a difficult task, having only about 12 hours to seek the thieves among a passenger list of nearly 1000, and a crew of 200 men. They had also to search the ship, a veritable floating city, for the missing articles. The Strathallan was scheduled to leave Wellington at 6.30 last evening, on her return to Sydney. When the hour struck crowds were waiting on the wharf, passengers leaning over the rail ready to say goodbye. All those passengers who had come overland from Auckland had repaired on board. Ranks of cars lined Oriental Parade to watch the liner put to sea. The tug waited under the big ship’s side, blowing off steam impatiently. But the Strathallan' did not sail. For an hour and a half she lay beside the wharf. Goodbyes were prolonged. Speculation was rife among the crowds on the wharf. As 8 o’clock was striking, the gangway was lowered, mooring lines cast off, and the Strathallan hooted thrice and backed slowly into the stream. But shortly before this happened, . detectives were seen leaving the ship, and word went round that an arrest had been made in connection with a robbery on board. While the liner, a blaze of light, receded down harbour with her carefree trippers, two of her crew remained ashore in Wellington, undergoing interrogation at the Central Police Station. It is understood’ that the stolen articles were recovered.

OFFENCES ADMITTED. TWO YOUNG MEN REMANDED FOR SENTENCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Frank William Chalmers, aged 17, a liftboy, and Victor Jack Bonny, aged 19, a steward’s assistant, members of the crew of the Strathallan were charged ■today before the magistrate, Mr W. T. Stilwell, with the theft of jewellery and trinkets to the value of about £4B. Both pleaded guilty. The police said that on arrival of the ship at Auckland, the store, which contained jewellery and other articles, was sealed by Customs officials and appeared to be quite in order. It was subsequently discovered that the seal had been broken and goods stolen. On the Strathallan’s arrival at Wellington. detectives investigated and later interviewed the accused, who made statements admitting the offences. The police- had no desire that the accused should oe kept in New Zealand. It was understood that the Kent would be sailing on March 23 and the police suggested a remand for sentence till March 22. This was granted.