THEFTS ON STEAMERS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 800, 25 April 1910, Page 4

THEFTS ON STEAMERS.

Sir,—l notice that the police have at last succeeded in effecting an. arrest on suspicion of being concerned in the robbery on the steamer Moeraki. I'fras a passenger, on the Manuka several weeks hack from Sydney, and a lady from England had her dressirig-caso and valuables stolen when the boat was at the Sydney wharf, and although several efforts were made by the loser to find out the thief she was not much assisted by the ship authorities, who did not want the steamer to be delayed. Scarcely a passage passes without some daring robbery. I think that it is about time , the authorities stepped in and took a hand in protecting passengers on the seas. The steamship companies should be compelled to pay losses of this kind, or to exercise more vigilance over passengers', effects. It seems that a person'with any character is allowed to take a position as steward or sailor. These, robberies, as far as I have seen, have been done by the firemen or deck hands. The companies 6honld exercise some method of stopping' these people from invading the jiassengers' quarters. The steamers- trading between New Zealand and Australia charge high enough fares, and surely they can protect their passengers. I am speaking feelingly, as I myself have been a victim.— I am, etc., • . PASSENGER, [Our correspondent may possibly have overlooked the following clause, which appears in the company's guide .'and time-table:—"Passengers - may deposit their valuables, jewellery, money,., etc., with the purser on board the steamer for safe custody during the voyage, but no responsibility can be accepted by the .'company, for tho same." This is practically the 6amo position as. that taken up in the large hotels in Australia, where the proprietors cannot know the character of every individual employed.]