TWO STOWAWAYS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 210, 17 June 1933, Page 2

TWO STOWAWAYS

UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

ON A LINER AT AUCKLAND.

(Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, June 16.

Unusual circumstances surround the adventure of two stowaways who were among the complement of the Mariposa which arrived from Suya this morning in continuation of the voyage from Los Angeles..

The travels of the men, Friez Kreuzer and Reginald Wright, began at Sydney last April, when they secreted themselves on the Mariposa. They evaded detection on the voyage to Auckland, and on arrival here walked off. The success inspired them to further adventure, for a month later, with the arrival of another of the Oceanic liners, the Monterey, they stowed away again. This time they were discovered the day before the ship reached Suva. On arrival at the island port they were handed over to the authorities. Both were sentenced at Suva to one month's imprisonment, with a proviso, that they should be placed on the first of the company's vessels returning to Auckland. This happened to be the Mariposa, and once again they travelled on the liner, but not enjoying the freedom they had* on the previoiis trip, for they were kept in close custody. a German, is stated to have deserted from the German ship Mosel, in Australia, three years,ago, while Wright is believed to be an Australian.

They will be taken, on to Sydney by the vessel, and the company will endeavour to land them. There may be complications, however, particularly in the case of Kreuzer.

BOLD BID FOR LIBERTY.

YOUNG GERMAN SWIMS ASHORE.

AUCKLAND, June 16.

A desperate bid for liberty was made to-night by Fritz Kreuzer, aged 21, the stowaway who was being taken from Auckland to Sydney by the Mari-i posa, when he dived into the harbour from the vessel and succeeded in reaching the shore. His companion, Reginald Wright, evidently had the same opportunity to reach the shore, but elected to remain on board the liner.

Not long after reaching the safety of the wharves, after a strenuous swim in. icy waters, Kreuzer, who is a fairheaded, slim young man, was identified by the police as. one of the stowaways who were brought from Suya by the Mariposa in the morning. Kreuzer, in spite of the rigid watch kept on him, escaped detection as the Mariposa was leaving the harbour for Sydney. He reappeared before the authorities in a surprising manner. The liner left the wharf just after 5 p.m. It was going down the harbour past the King's Wharf at 5.20. According to the young German's statement, he managed to leave custody in a manner which has not been explained. He then made his way forward to the forecastle head, a few feet from the anchor, and plunged from the liner into the harbour, a height of some 40 feet. His dive carried him clear from the tow of the Mariposa. He then struck out for the lights on the wharves. Hampered by his clothing and swimhing in chilly water, Kreuzer had a hazardous task ahead of him, but succeeded in landing at the steps at the end of King's Wharf before 6 o'clock. The young man then walked to where the steamer Omana was completing loading further along the wharf. His clothes dripping wet, ' Kreuzer went on board and explained to the passengers and crew that he had been watching the Mariposa going out and that, dazzled by the lights on the - wharf, he fell into the harbour. Those on board set about providing warmth for the young man, and stimulants were given him. Meanwhile some person informed the Queen's Wharf police station that a man had fallen into the harbour. A constable took Kreuzer in a taxi-cab to Volcanic Street, Balmoral, where he "said he had friends. The constable returned with particulars of the young man to the* station, where Sergeant Thompson thought the description agreed with that of one of the young men deported from Suva. A sergeant and constable immediately returned to Volcanic Street, where their suspicions were confirmed and Kreuzer was immediately taken into custody and brought into the city. The young man is little the worse for his experience. According to a story he told, he is not anxious to be returned to Germany, but prefers, to stay in the British Empire. No intimation that Kreuzer had disappeared was received from the Mariposa, so a radiogram advising that the young German had swum ashore and been arrested was sent to the master of the liner. Kreuzer is to be charged in the Police Court.