POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20293, 28 June 1929, Page 14

POLICE COURT NEWS.

DESERTERS FROM STEAMER.

RETURN TO SHIP ORDERED. Charges of deserting the steamer Tasmanian Transport at Auckland on Tuesday were preferred in the Police Court yesterday • against two American sailors, Leo White, alias Buck Malone, aged 22, fireman, and Joseph O'Brien, aged 30, seaman, both of whom pleaded not guilty. Police evidence showed that the men had both properly signed on the vessel, one at Sydney and the other at Honolulu. They were American citizens. The vessel had sailed to New Plymouth and was af present on the way to Wanganui, the last port of call in New Zealand. White said he wished to rejoin the ship. He had come ashore and had been told that it was to sail at 7 p.m. When he returned to the wharf about 6 o'clock the vessel had gone. Ho was able to pay his fare to Wanganui. O'Brien offered a similar excuse, saying he also wished to be placed on the vessel. Sub-Inspector McCarthy said if the men were sent to Wanganui by the police the shipping company would have to pay'their fares.

The magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt, convicted both the men and ordered them to be placed on the ship at Wanganui. ' By Monday there will be 27 charges against this man," said Chief-Detective Hammond when Reginald Gordon Cotterill was charged with breaking and entering Brookfield Chambers, Shortland Street, on June 16, and stealing a revolver and 4s in money On the application of the chief detective accused was remanded to appear again on Monday.