FOUR CHARGED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 134, 9 June 1933, Page 8

FOUR CHARGED.

SEIZURE OF SILVER.

WANGANELLA SEARCHED.

FOURTH OFFICER IN COURT.

'(By- Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day,

As the result of a search carried out on the Huddart Parker motor ship "Wanganella before lier departure for Sydney yesterday about £700 worth of silver, comprising mostly half-crowns, was seized by the police. Thia morning four members of the new of the Wanganella were charged before Mr. E. Page, S.M., with attempting to export silver in excess of £2. 'J'he names and amounts they are Alleged to have attempted to take are as follow:— James Freeston, a steward, £252 11/. James Boyne, a seaman, £20. Henry Morgan, hairdresser, £200. Douglas Jack Strath, fourth officer, [£62 12/6. The Crown Prosecutor asked for a remand, and this was granted. Bail was fixed at £50 in respect of each sccused, with one surety. Search of Cabins. The search operation was most thorough. About 50 police and Customs officials boarded the Wanganella. The police were dressed in mufti, the majority being collarless and wearing suits which gave the impression of their being seamen or wharf labourers. Passengers on board had no idea that while they were bidding farewell to friends their cabins and baggage were being thoroughly searched. Every precaution was taken by the police to prevent persons with silver in their possession from going ashore. Most of the people who were visiting passengers on the boat went ashore just before mid-day, expecting the vessel. to. sail at any minute. At each chime of the clock both passengers and their friends began ta wonder when the Wanganella would cast off and the police and Harbour Board officials were showered with questions. Most of those on the wharf held their positions for at least a couple of hours, when the crowd began to dwindle until the wharf was practically deserted. Among the ship's passengers were members of the Australian Universities' Rugby team who, with Victoria University College students, provided entertainment in the way of hakas and songs, which helped to -relieve the monotony of waiting. Over Four Hours' Delay. It was after 4.30 p.m. when the last police officer left the ship and the vessel sailed at 4.45. The Wanganella was expected to reach Sydney on Sunday, but with, the delay of nearly five hours and the possibility of encountering, heavy weather it is. doubtful if she will arrive there before Monday. It has been known for several months past that trading in silver has been going on, and the search to-day is understood to have followed upon advice received by the police that an attempt was being made to ship money in the Wanganella. Sifcie idea of the attraction for this kind of dealing can be gleaned from the fact that one pound's worth of English silver, which is the silver currency of Kew Zealand, is worth £1 3/10 in Australia. Half-crowns in particular have found a ready market in Australia.