BID FOR LIBERTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21520, 17 June 1933, Page 10

BID FOR LIBERTY

ELUSIVE STOWAWAY DIVE FROM MARIPOSA SWIM IN ICY WATER ARRESTED BY TOLICE COMPANION STILL ABOARD A desperate bid for liberty was made last evening by a young German stowaway who was being taken from Auckland to Sydney by the Matson liner Mariposa, when he dived into the harbour from the vessel and succeeded in reaching the shore. The stowaway, I 1 ritz Kreuzer, aged 21, was in custody on board the Mariposa with a young Australian, Reginald Wright. Not long after reaching the safety of the wharves after a strenuous swim in icy waters, Kreuzer, who is a fairheaded and slim young man, was identified by the Queen's Wharf police as one of the stowaways who were brought from Suva by the Mariposa in the morning. Kreuzer and \\ right, who have had remarkable if unotthodctx travels, were mentioned on the passenger list as "stowawajs, ex Monterey." It was stated that the pair stowed away on the Mariposa at Sydney before the liner left on the last northward voyage. They escaped detection on the trip across the Tasman S6a and came ashore at Auckland. Deported from Suva % On June 3, when the Monterey arrived at Auckland, bound from Sydney to San Francisco, they apparently decided to continue their sea adventures, but they were discovered on board the day before the vessel reached Suva. There, the men were each sentenced to one month's imprisonment, with an order that they should be placed on the first of the company's vessels passing through Suva southward bound. Accordingly they made their second voyage on the Mariposa and they were kept in close custody throughout the trip to Auckland. As both men came under the heading of prohibited immigrants, the authorities refused to permit them to land yesterday. Kreuzer, in spite of the rigid watch kept on him, escaped detection as the Mariposa was leaving the harbour for Sydney last evening, and he reappeared before the authorities in a surprising manner.. The liner left Prince's Wharf just after 5 p.m. and it was going down the harbour past King's Wharf at 5.20. Wharf Reached Safely According to the young German's statement, he managed to leave custody in a manner which has not been explained, and then made his way forward to the forecastle head. A few feet from the anchor, Kreuzer plunged from the liner into the harbour, a height of some 40ft. His dive carried him clear from the tow of the Mariposa and he then struck out for the lights on the wharves. Hampered by clothing and swimming in chilly water, Kreuzer had a hazardous task ahead of him, but he succeeded in landing at the steps at the end of King's Wharf before six o'clock. No one has been reported as having seen him at the time he landed. Assisted on Coastal Vessel The young man then walked to where the Northern Company's steamer Omana was completing loading, further along King's Wharf, for Waiheke Island. His clothes dripping wet, Kreuzer went on board and explained to the passengers and crew that he had been watching the Mariposa going out and that, dazzled by lights on the wharf, he fell into the harbour. Those on board set about providing warmth for the young man and stimulants were given him. Meanwhile, some person informed the Queen's Wharf police station that a man had fallen into the harbour, and Constable Jamieson made inquiries. The constable subsequently took Kreuzer in a taxi-cab to Volcanic Street, Balmoral, where the young man said he had friends. The constable returned with particulars of the young man to the Queen's Wharf station, where Sergeant Thompson was in charge. The sergeant thought the description agreed with that of one of the young men deported from Suva. Sergeant Thompson and Constable Jamieson immediately returned to Volcanic Street, where their suspicions were confirmed. Kreuzer was immediately taken into custody and brought into the city. Dislike for Homeland The young man was little the worse for his experience. According to a story he told, he was not anxious to be returned to Germany, but preferred to stay in the British Empire. While he was not unwilling to go to Australia, he evidently regarded the Commonwealth as a step nearer Germany. As for his stowaway companion, Wright, it was evidently not expected that the Australian would make such a bold and dangerous attempt to land in the Dominion when he was being returned to his own country. No intimation that Kreuzer had disappeared was received from the Mariposa, so a wireless message stating that tlio young German had swum ashore and had been arrested was sent to the commander of tlio liner last evening. Kreuzer is to appear in the Police Court this morning.