GIRL STOWAWAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21347, 23 November 1932, Page 13

GIRL STOWAWAY

HIDDEN ON MARIPOSA

WANTED TO SEE AMERICA

TO BE RETURNED TO SYDNEY

A 19-year-old girl, who was obsessed with a longing to go to America, stowed away on the Mariposa when the liner left ■Sydney. On the vessel's arrival at Auckland yesterday she tearfully pleaded to be allowed to continue the voyage to Los Angeles. "Don't send me back to Australia," she cried, weeping bitterly. But authority was adamant. She was hailed before the Police Court and ordered to be returned to Sydney by the next steamer. The girl gave herself up when the Mariposa was 30 miles from Sydney Heads. She had been hiding under a bunk in a- passenger's state-room. At first she said she had fallen asleep under the bunk, then' she said she had come oil board to seo a member of the crew, but when she could not name him, and the officers refused to believe her story, she admitted she had walked on board the ship without authority. She had planned with a girl friend to stow away on the liner and seo America, but when her companion failed to arrive at the ship's gangway an hour before sailing time she became desperate and crept on board by herself. Her friend, she said, must have lost heart at the last moment.

Difficulty in Entering America

The girl gave her name as Marion Bell and said her parents resided in Sydney. A wireless message was immediately despatched from the Mariposa to the shore, and an agent of tho Matson Line interviewed tho parents, who declined, however, to pay her passage. "I want to go to tho States," was all the girl would say.

During the voyage to Auckland the girl was placed under the surveillance of a stewardess. She was allotted a cabin to herself, had her meals in the cabin-class saloon, and she was allowed to roam the decks under the eye of the stewardess. Few people on board knew her to be other than a passenger. The officers of the Mariposa appeared yesterday to be desirous of letting the gill have her wish and taking her to America, but it was pointed out that in the United States, as in New Zealand, she would be regarded as a prohibited immigrant, travelling as she was without a passport. Moreover, the American quota would effectively bar her entry into the United States. There was nothing to be done, therefore, but arrange for her return to Australia, and as sho would be barred from returning to Sydney without a passport, it became necessary to hand her over to the Auckland police, so that she could be prosecuted and returned to Australia with legal authority. This course was finally agreed to. On the vessel's arrival hero she was arrested.

To be Detained in Prison The girl was charged before Mr. W. R. Mclvean, S.M., in (he Police Court with having stowed away on the Mariposa. Slip, pleaded guilty. Detective-Sergeant, Kellv said the shipping company had consented to take her back to Australia by the Monterey, sailing on December 5. Accused, who commenced crying hysterically, said she was acquainted with a member of the crew of the Mariposa, who had promised to take her to America. She had no money, but if she was allowed to continue the voyage the faro would be paid. Mr. Kelly: She would have even less chance of getting into America than into New Zealand.

Accused (to the Mariposa's purser, who was in Court) : Oh, purser, can you not take me back to the Mariposa ? I do not want to go to prison. You will get your money, all right. Please go and see tho captain. The Magistrate: We have quite a number of male stowaways, but this is the first timo I have had a female stowaway before me. The only thing I can do is to order her to be detained in custody until arrangements can be mado for her to bo taken back to Australia.

"I am very sorry for you, but it is all I can do," said Mr. McKean to accused in fining her £lO, in default 21 days' imprisonment.