ROBBERIES ON STEAMERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2928, 27 April 1910, Page 26

ROBBERIES ON STEAMERS.

AN ARREST AT WELLINGTON. (From Ouk Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, April 20. Robberies of money and jewellery on steamers trading to and fro are somewhat trequent nowadays. While the P. and O. steamer Malwa was en route to England from Auckland there were several thefts of jewellery, and one of the New Zealand lady passengers was a sufferer. Miss Ethel Miles, daughter of A. H. Miles, manager at Wellington for Murray, Roberts, and Co.. was also-the victim of a daring robbery committed on the high seas on April 9. Miss Miles left by the Moeraki on April 8 for Sydney, en route for Europe, and on the following day a suit case was stolen from her cabin. It contained jewellery, silverware, and money to the total value of about £l2O. Miss Miles reported the matter to the captain, but a thorough search of the vessel failed to locate the missing property. When the Moeraki arrived at Sydney the police were communicated with, but they, too, were unable to find either the stolen goods or the culprit. When the steamer reached the heads to-day on her return to Wellington the police were signalled for, and Detectives Andrews nnd Lewis went aboard. While the Moeraki lay in the stream they, made a thorough search, but without success. The vessel then came alongside the wharf, and, not being satisfied with their investigations, the detectives decided on another search. Instructions were given that no member of the crew was to go ashore in the meantime, and for about two holars both police officers delved into practically every nook and corner of the vessel, including the stokehold. This time they were rewarded for their efforts. tn the forecastle they unearthed their quarry, discovering a small box of the missing jewellery tied up in the leg of a pair of underpants belonging to a trimmer. A. search of the man's box revealed more of the missing jewellery, and shortly afterwards the oreater part of the stolen goods was recovered. The trimmer was arrested, and will be charged at the Magistrate's Court to-morrow morning with the 'theft of the jewellery, etc., on-- the-high seas. He is a native of Victoria, and is 24 years of age. THE MOERAKI CASE. WELLINGTON. April 21. Joseph Walker, a coal-trimmer, was charged before Mr Riddell. S.M., to-day with stealing on the steamer Moeraki on April 9, a suit-case containing jewellery, clothes, and money, of the total value of £l2O, the property of Ethel Beatrice Miles. On the application of the police the accused was remanded till the 27th inst. THE MANUKA CASE. (Fkom: Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. April 21. The people who were robbed on the Manuka were a lady and gentleman, tourists from England. They boarded the Manuka at Sydney, just as the steamer was about to leave the Sydney wharf. Their servant, who was arranging the cabin luggage, discovered that one package was locked, and he went up on deck to his enroloyer to get the key. He was absent from the state-room not more than three minutes, When he returned the lady's handbag was missing, It contained eome £2O or £3O woTth of jewellery. Fortunately for the lady, in this case the greater part of her valuables were in other receptacles.