THEFT ON SHIP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 221, 18 September 1936, Page 6

THEFT ON SHIP

— MAN AND YOUTH IN COURT PLEA EOR LENIENCY ! Per Press Association J WELLINGTON, Sepl. 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 Verschaffelt in the Supreme Court in making a plea for leniency on behalf of Frederick James, aged 26, steward, and Peter John Frederick Ransom, aged 16. steward’s boy, who pleaded guilty in the Lower Court to stealing £4lO in money and letters of credit and bank draft, the total value being £7lO, on the Rangitane between Panama and Wellington. Judge Smith remanded them till tomorrow to consider the suggestion of deportation. Mr Verschaffelt said that it was simply a foolish escapade that could not have ended otherwise than in disaster. When taxed by the chief steward both made a clean breast of it, and the whole of the money taken from the safe was returned. The documents had, unfortunately, been thrown overboard. Prisoners had been in custody for some time, had been signed off the ship, and had lost any prospect with their former employers. He asked for probation, and said that neither of the accused wished to remain in New Zealand.