FINED £l0

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1932, Page 5

FINED £lo

GIRL STOWAWAY ON MARIPOSA

DEFENDANT’S PLEA IN COURT.

(Per Press Association r-~ Copyright.)

AUCKLAND, November 22. Tlie girl who stowed away at Sydney on board the Matson liner '“Mariposa,” Marion Bell, was charged before Mr McKean, S.M., in the Police Court with having stowed away. She pleaded guilty. Detective Sergeant Kelly said that the Matson Shipping Coy., had consented to take her back to Australia by the liner “Monterey,” which is sailing on December 5. Tlie defendant, who commenced crying hysterically, said that she was acquainted with ia member of the crew of the Mariposa, who had no money, but if she was allowed to continue the voyage, her fare would be paid.

-Mr Kelly: She would have even less chancefof getting into America than into New Zealand.

The defendant, to the Mariposa’s purser, who was in the court : “Oh, Purser, can you not take me back to the Mariposa? 1 do not want to go to prison. You will get! your money all right. Please go and see the captain.”

The Magistrate. “Wei have quite a number of male stowaways, but this is the first time that I have had a female stowaway before me. The only thing I can do is to order her to l>e detained in custody until arrangements can be made for her to be taken back to Australia.” “I am sorry for you, but it is all that 1 can do,” said Mr McKean to the defendant in fining her £lO, or in default 21 days’ imprisonment.