DARING THEFT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 62, 10 September 1937, Page 11

DARING THEFT

ENGINE OF LAUNCH

CRAFT DAMAGED

A particularly audacious theft of an unusual kind was committed on Tuesday evening, when the launch Rambow was removed from the Boat Harbour. The waterlogged hull of the boat was found on Wednesday morning close to the wall outside Te Aro Baths, but the engine had been taken out.

According to reports, the owner left the' boat anchored in the Boat Harbour on Tuesday. She wac seen still at anchor on Tuesday evening, but about 11 p.m. two men were seen to row off to her in a dinghy. Apparently the launch was then: taken-out of the harbour into the angle between the seawall and the outer wall of the Te Aro Baths, where the engine, which was a 4 horse-power marine type, was removed. * Three large holes were drilled in the bottom of the boat,, apparently in order to scuttle her, but, being.made entirely of wood, with very little extra weight aboard, the craft floated, though full of water. She was noticed there in the morning by Mr. P. McLean, custodian of the baths, who reported the matter to the, authorities. The boat, which is in a badly-damaged condition, was hauled up on the hard later in the day. The police are investigating.