SEAMAN IN TROUBLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11224, 1 June 1922, Page 5

SEAMAN IN TROUBLE

LOST HIS 3IONEY AND STOLE A SEXTANT. A young seaman named Edward Jack Cromer (Mr J. S. Hanna) was arraigned before Messrs J. W. Ellison and AV. H. Hannah, J.P.’s, in the Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, on a charge of stealing from the steamer Doiset, on Alay 7th, 1922, a sextant valued at £ls, and belonging to Captain W. Somers-Vine; and. also on a charge of stealing a camera, binoculars, and suitcase, of a total value of £l2 10s, the property of Gerald Porter. Llewellyn Jones, shipping clerk, said that, on Monday, Alay Bth, the Dorset was berthed at the Glasgow Wharf. Ho went aboard to see Captain SomersVine, and noticed that the starboard window of the chart-room had been broken, and the captain’s sextant and other goods had been removed. The total value was about £42. Henry Wilson Littlejohn gave evidence to the effect that, at about 10 a.m. one morning, the accused came into his shop, and, giving the name of “Anderson,” said lie had a sextant for sale, and asked £ls for it. Witness purchased the sextant, and paid by cheque, receiving in return a receipt. The sextant was later identified 'by a man off the Dorset. Evidence was given by Detective Tricklebanlc as to having recovered tho sextant. The accused made a statement, when interviewed by witness, to tho effect that he was twenty-three years of age. He had previously been on the Tainui, but when on the way to New Zealand he had the misfortune to lose his money. He arrived at Auckland, but proceeded to Wellington, where he learned that the Dorset was in port. Having previously worked on the Dorset, he knew the ship, and went aboard, breaking tho window with his fist, and taking the sextant anti other goods. After hearing the evidence, the accused pleaded guilty, and wan committed to tho Supreme Court for sentence.