STOWED AWAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 295, 13 December 1943, Page 4

STOWED AWAY

ON AMERICAN TANKER

A WAITRESS FINED £25

Discovered at sea on board an American oil tanker and brought back to Auckland by launch, Joan Watson (29), a waitress, came before Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., in the Police Court this morning on charges of stowing away on the vessel and entering on board the ship without a permit.

Mr. K. C. Aekins represented accused, who pleaded guilty to both charges.

Sub-Inspector Harley said the oil tanker sailed from Auckland one' morning, and the same night accused was found on board by officers. The vessel turned back and the woman was put off at Tiritiri, returning to Auckland by launch. In her possession the police found £158 10/ in New Zealand currency, £1 10/ in Australian currency and about 101 American dollars.

"This woman is married and lives with her husband, who is 45, at Heme Bay," added Mr. Harley. "According to her she did not love her husband, who told her to get someone else. Some months ago she says she met an American merchant navy man and got to love him. The man returned to America, and she_ says she was anxious to get to America to join him." "This is an unusual case," began Mr. Aekins.

'"It is unusual for a woman to be on an oil tanker in war time," interposed the magistrate. Mr. Aekins said that two weeks ago his client applied to the American Counsul for a permit to leave for America, but was told to come back when the war was over. The money found in her possession was her savings. On going on board the ship she hid in a locker, but the heat was so great she had to come out, and was discovered. In asking that his client might be dealt with leniently, Mr. Aekins said the offence was not likelv to be repeated. Mr. Luxford: Probably not by her, but in view of the present state of society it is very likely to be attempted in the future by quite a number of emotionally unstable women.

Remarking that by her actions Mrs. Watson had interfered with the ship's programme because the vessel had to turn back, the magistrate said he would impose a substantial fine On one charge she was fined £25, and on the other she was convicted and discharged.