LONG SEA TRIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 3, 4 January 1934, Page 7

LONG SEA TRIP.

UNHAPPY ENDING.

CONTRABAND CARGO.

England-Australia in Sixteen

Months.

SYDNEY HARBOUR DRAMA,

(United P.A.-Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 12 noon.) SYDNEY, this day. Taking 16 months for the voyage from England to Australia and having been twice reported as overdue -while in the Pacific, the small schooner Isabel reached port here last evening, only to be detained as the result of a police search, which revealed .an alleged contraband Trench cargo valued at £1800. This was seized by Customs officials. The Isabel, which left Panama on July 15, was overdue until she was known to have called at the Marquesas Islands on November 2, and later at Papeete. She was again rcported'overduo until she sailed into Sydney harbour last evening. When 38 days out from Tahiti, the vessel struck some rough weather. The Isabel is flying the flag of the Irish Free State. The owner, Captain Weeks, and six hands, comprise the crew of the 133ton schooner. When the Customs officers boarded the vessel, Captain Weeks stated that as far as he knew there was nothing aboard which warranted the attention paid to him. After spending several hours ou the schooner, the Customs officials and detectives detained a quantity of perfumes, soaps and chemicals for further investigation. Mrs. Weeks and her two children, who have been in Sydney for some time, wore not expecting the Isabel's arrival "for a long time yet." The family was reunited aboard the ship.