RANGITANE THEFT

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 69, 18 September 1936, Page 11

RANGITANE THEFT

STEWARD DEALT WITH A FIRST OFFENDER Arrangements have been made for Frederick James,, aged 26, one of the two persons involved in the theft of £4lO in money, and letters of credit, and a bank draft valued at £3OO, on the Rangitane between Panama and Wellington, to leave New Zealand, but the Supreme Court has no power to order his deportation. He was ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within two years, by Mr: Justice Smith, today. His partner in the theft, PeterJohn Frederick Ransom, purser's boy, aged 16, could not be sentenced because of his age, and was remanded to the Children's Court.

His Honour described the facts of the case as peculiar. Ransom, who was not yet seventeen, was the purser's boy on the Rangitane, and on August 15, 4 after he had had some drinks, suggested to James that they should "lift" the chief steward's safe. In the subsequent theft the boy took the- leading part. Both prisoners had good records, if being the first offence in each case. said his Honour. The evidence showed that Ransom was not seventeen, and it had been held by the Court of Appeal that the only Court which had jurisdiction in such a case was the Children's Court. Accordingly he must be sent back to the Children's Court to be dealt with.

Referring to James, his Honour said he had given the matter careful consideration, and he did not think he should send him to prison. As it was his first offence he proposed to give him a chance. He understood that arrangements had been made whereby he might leave the country. The Court had no power to deport him, but it could order him to come up for sentence if called upon.

The prisoner could return to his people in England, and no doubt they would take care of him. He had suffered some punishment by the loss, of a clean discharge and the difficulty he would have in that connection in the future. He would no doubt take the first opportunity to leave New Zealand.