TO BE DEPORTED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 211, 19 June 1933, Page 7

TO BE DEPORTED

YOUNG GERMAN STOWAWAY.

OFFER OF BOND FOR ACCUSED.

(Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, June 17

Fritz Kreuzer, aged 21 years, who dived overboard from the Mariposa last night, appeared in the Police Court charged with vagrancy and entering New Zealand without a permit. After the police had described his escape the Magistrate (Mr Hunt) said: "That was a good swim—from near the Naval Base to the Northern Wharf."

Sergeant Thompson: It was, sir. The Magistrate: I don't want to convict him. . The president of tlio Auckland German Club (Mr O. J. Thedens) said that if Kreuzer was not imprisoned his countrymen would look after him. Accused said: "I give you my word of honour, sir, that if I am. allowed to go with these people I will work hard and not escape." Later he said: "Please do not send me back to Germany." In "the midst of a discussion between Mr Thedens and a representative of the shipping company an offer was received from a prominent business man, to enter into a bond for accused while he was in Auckland. Eventually the Magistrate made a deportation order and accused was held in custody pending a decision concerning his release while awaiting deportation- The shipping company will ascertain from Australia if he will be allowed to land there.

SYMPATHETIC INTEREST.

SEVERAL OFFERS OF EMPLOYMENT.

AUCKLAND, June 18,

An extraordinary degree of sympathetic interest has been aroused in Fritz I Kreuzer, the German stowaway, who escaped from custody on board the Mariposa, When Kreuzer appeared at the Police Court he was ordered to be deported. Meanwhile his countrymen are anxious for his release from custody on bond. Although it seems definite that Kreuzer will have to leave New Zealand, numbers of offers to employ the man have been received. Negotiations to obtain his release on bond were instituted after the Court proceedings, but nothing definite has been done. . .

The Austrian Trade Commissioner (Mi- O. J. Thedens), who is president of the German Club, has been taking ah active part in the interests of Kreuzer. Mr Thedens stated that up to £IOOO could be made available for a bond for the stowaway if such a sum were necessary. It was remarkable what a number of people have 'been interested in the case. One farmer came from the country to the city and informed Mr Thedens that he would haye no hesitation in finding a position on his property for Kreuzer. Striking as that offer was, it had been only one of numbers. The German Club, through its connections, is in a position to point to several opportunities to employ the young man.

EARLIER ADVENTURES.

ESCAPE BY SWIMMING

(Special to the "Guardian.") AUCKLAND, June 17. Fritz Kreuzer. when interviewed, said he was brought up in an orphanage and went to sea when he was 17 years of age. In 192? he deserted in Melbourne, but later was caught in Sydney and placed on board his ship, but he escaped by diving overboard at Port Melbourne—exactly as he did in Auckland yesterday. After describing other adventures, Kreuzer related how he and a companion came to Auckland, worked here for four weeks and then stowed away on the Monterey.

"On the tihrd day," he said, "one of the' officers told us that he had watched us going into the tiolet at meal times. I could not bluff him. I told him the game was up. The officer locked me in a cabin and had a laugh at me. It made me wild. He said I could not escape then, and to prove that I could I squeezed through one of "the portholes. Then he handcuffed me. We were sent to gaol in Suva, but it was quite a good place and good meals. I was allowed to have a swim and I trained so that I could jump overboard when I got on a ship again. A fellow promised me a job and I arranged to cable him what ship I was going to stow away on.' "I had it all planned to get back to Suva. I was going to change the colour of my hair and put on a minister's uit, with the collar turned back to front. This time I intended to hide in a lifeboat, where they always keep water and biscuits. I would have been sure of success."