CONVERSION OF FISHING-BOAT

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27374, 12 June 1954, Page 9

CONVERSION OF FISHING-BOAT

MAN GIVEN TERM OF PROBATION

(Nevi Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, June 11. A man who unlawfully converted the £15,000 fishing-boat Waikawa in Auckland Harbour last Saturday night, and sailed her single-handed down the narbour until he got into difficulties off Mission Bay, was today admitted to two years’ probation by Mr H. Jenner Wily, S.M. He is' Alexander Black Orsborne, aged 25. a carpenter. Orsborne was ordered to pay the £2O salvage bill, £lOO towards repairing the boat’s engine, and £lO towards police costs, which included calling out the police launch Lady Shirley, in answer to his SOS.

Drunkenness was the real cause of the offence, said Mr K. C. Aekins. Sub-Inspector F. Taylor said the total cost of repairing the engine’s clutch was £l7O.

“You could be sent to prison for a substantial period for this offence.’ r said the Magistrate. “The probation officer does not recommend probation for you. But I think I can extend some leniency, as I believe you have had your lesson. It appears from the facts that, when you realised what you had done, you did everything you could to recover the situation.”