COUNT VON LUCKNER

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20504, 21 May 1938, Page 7

COUNT VON LUCKNER

IN A CHEERY MOOD NOT BENT ON PROPAGANDA WELCOMED BY YACHT CLUB United P.ess Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright SYDNEY. May 21 Count von Luckner was In a cheery mood when interviewed aboard the Seeteufel. 4 ‘ I am here for pleasure —looking over my old huntinggrounds." he said. The Sun describes Count von Luckner as having been once a billposter in Sydney and later the man who sent £5.000.01)0 worth of Allied ships to the bottom. The count, denied a I the outset that he was bent on propaganda. ‘‘ T wanted to show the countess New Zealand and Australia as a wedding present, so here we are." lie said. " I was last, here as a prisoner of war on board the steamer Willochra. Before that I was here with a group of Hindu magicians, then as an advance agent and billposter." Stormy Weather Met With Count von Luckner. who was wearing plus fours and sandals, said the Seeteufel encountered stormy weather after leaving Auckland and the yacht was forced back to shelter in a small bay. Later the voyage was resumed, but the yacht fought a gale last Tuesday and Wednesday. The seas damaged the lifeboat and twisted the propeller. The Seeteufel ran into a dead calm near Sydney, and reached the Heads just after midnight. Count von Luckner was given a warm welcome by members of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club and representatives of the German community. Commonwealth investigation officers and members of the Sydney police also went aboard and chatted with the count and his wife,, whose visit will probably occupy three weeks.