THEFTS ON THE RANGITANE

Southland Times, Issue 22998, 18 September 1936, Page 5

THEFTS ON THE RANGITANE

Stewards Remanded

(United Press Association.)

Wellington, September 17.

“A great deal has been made of this case because a Scotland Yard detective was travelling on the ship, but from what I can ascertain that officer was’ not required to take any part in the solving of the mystery,” said Mr P. D. N. Verschaffelt in the Supreme Court, making a plea for leniency on behalf of Frederick James, aged 26, a steward, and Peter John Frederick Ransom, aged 16, a steward’s boy, who had pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court to stealing £4lO ip money and letters of credit and a bank draft of a total value of £7lO on the motor liner Rangitane between Panama and Wellington. Mr Justice Smith remanded them till to-morrow to consider a suggestion of deportation. Mr Verschaffelt said that it was simply a foolish escapade that could not have ended otherwise than disaster. When taxed by the chief steward both made a clean breast, and the whole of the money taken from the safe was returned. The documents, unfortunately, had been thrown overboard. Prisoners had been in custody for some time and had been signed off the ship and had lost any prospect with their former employers. He asked for probation and said that neither accused wished to remain in New Zealand.