MALABAR WRECK

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1931, Page 2

MALABAR WRECK

STOLEN COMPASS CHARGES.

ENTR AOR DINARY ASPECTS

JURYMEN ASTONISHES COURT.

SYDNEY, July 11

Several extraordinary incidents Here recorded at the Sydney Quarter Sessions on Thursday of this week, when a man was charged with having stolen a compass from the wreck of the Malabar, the liner which went aground at Long Bay, near Sydney, at Easter. Tire man pleaded guilty but by permission of the Court his counsel was allowed to alter the plea to not guilty. Evidence was given that the man was seen by the police to pick up tire compass off Maroubra Beach, and, still in. sight of the police, bear it away. Judge Ferguson stated that it was the fir6t time he had ever heard of a man stealing while the police were watching him. That was one extraordinary aspect of the case. The second came when the above evidence was being given, for one of the jurymen rose in his seat and declared that he had. been a* the Malabar wreck, and had seen hundreds of people taking articles away which had been washed up on the beach. He said that the police imposed no restrictions on this practice. Ho made this statement to ft dumb* founded Court, and the Crown Prosectu tor declared that it was the first time he had heard of an address in defence of an accused being made from the jury box. The man charged said he believed that the wreck had been abandoned, and said he took the compass as n souvenir and did noth intend to sell it. i Without leaving the box the jury returned a. verdict of not guilty. The judge ordered the compass to be returned to Burns, Pliilp and Co., Ltd., tlie owners of the wrecked vessel.