THEFT ON STEAMER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 156, 13 April 1928, Page 6

THEFT ON STEAMER

SILVERWARE AND FANCY GOODS THE LOOT WELL HIDDEN. (Per Press Association.) 33LELLINGTON, April 12. The New Zealand police are completely baffled over the theft of over £IOO worth of sil.verplate ware and fancy 200 els, which occurred neatly <1 month ago on the 10,000-ton tango steamer Herminius while she- was be tween Auckland and New 1 lymouth. The vessel, which is now completing her loading at Wellington, has been searched by the police from stem to stern on three occasions, and although there seems reason to believe that the (roods, which were part of the ship s cargo are still aboard the vessel not a trace of the stolen property has been discovered. The stolen silverware and fancy o-oods comprised samples, and were shipped at Auckland for England. They were placed in special stowage, and when the Herminius left Auckland on March 9 were intact. The vessel proceeded from Auckland to load at Opna, Gisborne, New Plymouth, and other New Zealand ports. When the Herminius arrived at New Plymouth on Mar'cli 17, eight days after leaving Auckland, the theft was discovered. Force had been used to gain an entrance into the compartment where the goods were stowed. The matter was at once reported to the police, who forthwith proceeded to search the ship, while a constant watch was kept on the vessel also. Every possible hid-ing-place was examined, and the quarters of the crew were ransacked, but without success. Tiie Herminius left New Plymouth on Alarcli 22 for Wanganui roadstead. Port Chalmers, Bluff and Wellington, where she arrived last Saturday morning. While the vessel was in the south anqther surprise search was made by the police, but their efforts proved futile. Yet again, while the Herminius lay at her berth at the Glasgow wharf a couple of days ago, the police searched the ship from stem to stern, from the ballast tanks to the boat-deck, and still without a sign of the stolen goods. A watch has also been kept on the vessel, but nothing suspicious has occurred sufficient to demand the attention of the police. It is suggested that the police are still of the opinion that the loot is secreted on the Herminius, but they consider it is quite improbable that any attempt will be made to land it at Wellington. The Herminius arrived at Auckland on February 28 from Antwerp with a. cargo of basic slag. On completion of discharge at Auckland she commenced loading. The vessel is to leave Wellington at daybreak on Saturday for London, Avonmouth, Glasgow, and Liverpool.