UNSOLVED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 295, 14 December 1938, Page 12

UNSOLVED.

SHIP ROBBERY.

RANGITATA MYSTERY.

DISAPPEARANCE OF £1600.

EXPERT EXAMINES SAFE.

So far there have been no developments in connection with the theft of £1600 from the captain's cabin in the Xew Zealand Shipping Company's liner Kangitata, now lying at Central wharf. The robbery took place between Friday night and yesterday morning.

Despite the fact that keen and experienced detectives have been investigating the robbery almost continuously since the master, Captain Edward Holland, discovered it about 10.30 a.m. yesterday, the mystery remains unsolved. The investigation bristles with difficulties.

Detectives A. Moore and F. Brady, who are attached to the Queen's wharf station, were the first officers to investigate. Later Detective-Sergeant A. G. McHugh worked on the case until this morning, when he had to relieve Chief Detective S. C. Hall, wlto is taking brief leave. Detective-Sergeant P. .7. Xakler was yestenliy afternoon placed in charge of the inquiries connected with the case. In addition to this oflicer and Detectives Moore and Brady. Detectives J. Hamilton and Cromwell are to-day assisting in the investigation. Police Guard Posted. Ever since the robbery was discovered a constable in uniform has been stationed on guard at tins head of' the Kangitata's gangway with the quartermaster. Every person, whether one of the crew or not, comes under the observation of the constable. The detectives engaged on the case are working against time, for the Rangitata is to sail finally for Home on Friday. They have already interviewed a large number of persons both on the ship and ashore, and are still busy. Locksmith's View.

At the request of tlie-police, Mr. D. Hyauiason, an expert locksmith, thia morning made an examination of the safe from which the money had be£n removed. "The conclusion 1 came to as a result of my examination of» the safe was that it could only have been opened by the use of a key made from one of the two original keys of the safe in the possession of the captain," Mr. Hyauiason said. "It looks as though got possession of one of the keys by some means without the captain's knowledge, took an impression and made a duplicate to fit and open tlie safe. There is no other way of opening that safe."

"Skeleton keys?" said Mr. Hvauiason. "No, there is no such thing as a skeleton key to open a safe. Why, if skeleton keys opened wiles, safes would be absolute!v useless!"

There is some reason to believe that the robbery was committed 011 .Saturday night. during' the ab-seiiee of tlie captain, who was away from the ship for the week-end. One of the officers states that he saw a light in Captain Holland's cabin about 11 o'clock that night. At first he was surprised, knowing that the captain had left for the week-end. but did not bother to closely investigate, as he thought that the captain had returned unexpectedly. Thief's Good Start. Although Captain Holland returned to liis ship on Sunday night he had no occasion to open the safe until yesterday morning. Because of the period l>et\veen the robbery and the time it was discovered the thief had an unusually good chance of escape. The police arc closing every loophole, but it would have been possible for the thief to csoa]>c by either of two vessels which left Auckland for overseas on Monday, or the proceeds of the robbery could have been posted by either ship.

Close attention to these po-^^il>i!i< ir>s has been given by the detectives. The Matson ship iMariposa sailed from Auckland for !San Francisco, via Suva, Pago Pago and Honolulu, while the Union Company's Aorangi left for Sydney at midnight.