THEFTS AT SEA

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 102, 1 May 1937, Page 11

THEFTS AT SEA

YOUTH'S OFFENCES

PROPERTY OF DEAD MEN

(fly Telegraph—l'rcss AspocTntion.)

DUNEDIN, This Day

The'rifling of property in the cabins of twp officers, of whom one died at sea and the other.was .lost overboard, was admitted by Richard Pickersgill, aged 19, a messboy on the steamer Horo'rata, in the Police Court this morning. The accused was charged with the theft of jewellery and money.

'.The police stated that during the voyage to New Zealand the ship's baker died. The usual search was made on the ship for .the deceased's property, which was taken. charge of. Immediately after the burial at sea the accused went to. the. cabin and, searching through the deceased's clothing, stole money, a gold.chain, and a sovereign, which he sold at Wellington for -27s 6d. While the Hororata was on the East Coast the seventh engineer was missing and supposedly lost overboard. A search for his property was also made but the accused got in first and stole a watch. , Another seventh engineer was engaged at Wellington and the accused went through his .'cabin and stole money. Pickersgill was discharged from a London prison on January 30.. ' ■■.'.-.

The Magistrate said that a ;aan of this type, was not wanted, here.

The accused was convicted. ..and ordered to come up for sentence. Arrangements are to be made .by the master for restitution of the property from the accused's earnings on the vessel's homeward, journey. ■■'. .