SAFE AND SOUND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26229, 13 August 1946, Page 5

SAFE AND SOUND

CATSPAW STOWAWAY LETTER RECEIVED BY MOTHER (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 12. The seventeen-year-old New Zealander, David Reece, who arrived at Sydney on board the Catspaw last week handcuffed to a bunk and who, after his release was reported to have disappeared, has written to his mother, Mrs L. M. Reece, of Grey Lynn, to say that he has been given a job by an Australian business man and was going by air to Melbourne to begin work in Sydney. A newspaper cutting which Reece enclosed with the letter, reported that a businessman, who refused to give his name for publication, had given him work at £lO a week with British Consolidated Industries, a new company registered in Melbourne. Asked why he had given Reece a job when he knew nothing about him. the Australian said, “ I have complete faith in my judgment. I do not know what job Reece will do, but he has been on my payroll since 10 o’clock this morning.” This was last Thursday. After the Australian customs and New Zealand Government officials had satisfied themselves of Reece’s identity and released him on Thursday, he' sent the following cable to. his mother: “Don’t worry. Have arrived in Sydney safely and don't need any money. I have landed and am free, to do as I please Please forgive me all. Buster.” Mrs Reece said she had received numerous inquiries about her son since he was reported to have arrived in Sydney as a stowaway, and she was anxious that it should be known that he had not disappeared and that he had a job. In his letter. Reece had said he would fly home to Auckland for a short holiday at Christmas. He pave his future Melbourne address.