STOWAWAY PROSECUTED

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 July 1936, Page 2

STOWAWAY PROSECUTED

MAN WITH A RECORD

[PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

AUCKLAND, July 21.

A strange story concerning a motor engineer, Theodore Walter . Kleinig, 46, who walked aboard the Niagara at Sydney in overalls, on July 16, and walked off the ship at Auckland yesterday, clad in a smart lounge suit, and under arrest, was told at the Police Court, this morning, when Kleinig was charged with stowing away and landing in New Zealand as a prohibited immigrant. He pleaded not guilty. Sub-Inspector Fox said the accused succeeded in impressing the ships officers to the extent of allowing him to travel first class. A tourist named Rector supplied him with a suit. The purser gave evidence of finding the accused in Rector’s cabin, iecovering from a drinking bout. Accused wanted witness to send a radio message asking that £5,000 be sent him. The message would have cost £l6 to send, and as the address was unknown, the message was not sent. After the accused had asked a number of questions, Sub-Inspector Fox said that part of accused’s prison term included a period in a mental hospital. . , “It appears though that is wheie he ought to be now by the way he is going on,” commented Magistrate McKean. . , The Chief Officer gave evidence that accused made so much noise that passengers complained. Anthony Rector, an elderly retired officer, told of meeting Kleinig in Sydney shortly before the ship sailed. Acreused came into his cabin and had. a 1 drink before they realised the ship had sailed. Witness said he offered to pay accused’s fare, but accused said he could handle his own affairs. Witness came to the conclusion that Kleinig was a man really in need, of friendship, and that he was convinced he had not been “had” by the accused.

J. Mclntosh, Collector of Customs, proosecuting Kleinig for landing as a prohibited immigrant said he had a criminal record, and was discharged from prison in Australia, two months ago, after serving two and a-half years. Accused: That is not so. 1 was only in for nine months. I took the blame and kept others out. While I was in prison they took my clothes and everything. That’s why I went on boaijfl the Niagara in overalls. Mr McKean said it looked as though Rector had been imposed upon. He said he had accepted Rector’s evidence on the first charge, and would dismiss it, but would remand accused on the second charge. “What for, and on what grounds?-” asked the accused. Sub-Inspector Fox: One of the grounds is that you are wanted on a warrant from Wellington, for a false pretence in 1926. Prisoner: I remember that. I was robbed right and left by the Government, because I was too straight. They had to get rid of me. Accused was remanded for one week. Bail in a surety of £lOO was allowed.