ALLEGED THEFT ON THE HIGH SEAS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13713, 21 April 1910, Page 8

ALLEGED THEFT ON THE HIGH SEAS.

(PBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, April 20. Miss Ethel Miles, daughter ot Mr A. H. Miles, manager at Wellington 'for Murray, Roberts and Co., was the victim of a daring robbery committed on the high seas on April 9th. Miss Miles left by the Moeraki on April Bth for Sydney en route for Europe, and on the following day her suitcase was stolen from her cabin. It contained jewellery, silverware and money to the total value of about £120. Miss Miles reported the matter to tho captain, but a thorough search of the vessel failed to locate the missing property. When the Moeraki arrived at Sydney, the police were communicated 'with', but, they, too, were unable to find either the stolen goods o>- the cuplrit. When the steamer reached the Heads to-day, on her return to Wellington, the police wore signalled for, and Detectives Andrews and Lewis went aboard while the Moeraki lay in*the stream. They made a thorough search, but without success. The vessel then came alongside tho wharf, and not being satisfied with their investigation, the detectives decided on another search. Instructions were given that no member of the crew was to go ashore in the meantime, and for about two hours both police officers delved into practically every nook and corner of the vessel, including the stoke hole. This time they wero rewarded, for their efforts. In the forecastle they unearthed their quarry, discovering a small box of missing jewellery tied up in the leg of r>. pair of underpants belonging to Joseph Walker, a trimmer. A search of the man's box revealed more of tho missing jewellery, and shortly afterwards the greater part of tho stolen goods was recovered. Walker was arrested, and will be charged at the Magistrate's Court to-morrow morning with theft of jewellery, etc., on the high seas. He i 3 a* native of Victoria, twenty-four years of age. "