POWER BOATS STOLEN

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 14

POWER BOATS STOLEN

REMOVED FROM MOORINGS. DISCOVERED ON MUDBANKS. CHRISTCHURCH, August 28. Two large power boats, the Pacific and the Waitea, the pick of the Brighton Power Boat Club’s fleet, were taken from their moorings last night, and were found stranded on mudbanks this morning considerably damaged. An attempt had evidently been made to steal the craft, which are valued at up to £lOOO each. The Waitea is 36 feet long and the Pacific 34 feet. The Pacific, which is owned by Mr L. A. Curtis, was found on a mudbank lower down the river. Mr Curtis also noticed that the Waitea was missing, and on making a search he found her also on a mudbank some miles down in the estuary. Both boats were extensively damaged by the thieves, who broke open the hatches and threw some of the gear into the river. As the engine ■was out of the Pacific for repairs, a mast was stepped by the thieves and an attempt made to sail the boat away. This is the third time Mr Curtis’s boat has been cast adrift, but no attempt has been made before to sail her away.