CARGO ROBBERY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16622, 14 April 1928, Page 14

CARGO ROBBERY

OVER £IOO WORTH INVOLVED POLICE SAID TO BE BAITLED The police are said to be completely baffled over the theft of over £IOO worth of silver-plated ware and fancy goods which occurred nearly a. month, ago on the 10,000-ton cargo steamer Hcrminius, while she was between Auckland and New Plymouth. Tho vessel, which is now completing her loading at Wellington, has been searched by ihe police from stem to stern on three occasions, and, although it is believed that the goods, which were part of the ship's cargo, are .still aboard the vessel, not a trace of the stolen. property has been discovered.

The stolen silver-ware and fancy goods were samples, and were shipped at Auckland for England. They were placed in special stowage, and when the Hcrminius left Auckland on March 9 wore intact. The vessel proceeded from Auckland to load' at Opua, Gishorne, New Plymouth, and other New Zealand ports.

When the Hcrminius arrived at New Plymouth on March 17—eight clays after leaving Auckland —the theft was discovered. Force had been used to gain an entrance into the compartment where the goods Mere slowed. The matter was at once reported to the police, who proceeded to search the ship. A constant -watch was kept on the vessel at the same time. Every possible hiding place was examined, and the quarters of the crew were ransacked but without success. The Hcrminius left New Plymouth on March 22 for Wanganui roadstead, Port Chalmers. Bluff, and Wellington, and she arrived at the latter port last Saturday morning. While the vessel was in the south another surprise search was made by tho police, but their efforts proved futile. Yet again, Avlule the Hcrminius lay at her berth at the Glasgow wharf, Wellington, a couple of days ago, the police searched the ship from stem to stem, from the ballast tanks to the boat-deck, and still without a sign of the stolen goods. A watch has also been kept on the vessel, but nothing suspicious has occurred sufficient to demand the attention of the police. The police arc still of tho opinion that the loot is secreted on. the Hcrminius, but they, consider it is quite improbable that any attempt will be made to land it at Wellington.