Thefts from Luggers.

T. I. Seamen Victimised.

From Our Oxen Correspondent.

Thursday Is., June 30.

IT is regrettable to have to report that a new form of burglary is becoming very common.

The robberies all occur on luggers lying at anchor in the harbour, many of which are left unattended from time to time. At least, two such occurrences were noted last week, Japanese cap tains being the victims. The empty boats are boarded and the crew’s be longings and stores “gone through.”

Some of these robberies have not even been reported to the police, as it is held they are more or less powerless to prevent them. A small patrol motor launch would do a lot towards lessen ing this growing menace. Certainly, it is very hard that our seamen, coming into port for a spell after their labori ous work outside, find that they cannot leave their possessions aboard without a guard.

This is a new form of crime on Thursday Island and therefore the more easily checked if energetic measures are taken. The victims themselves could very easily catch one of the delinquents if they put their heads together and fixed up a little trap, and we hope, if they succeed in bringing some mean thief to court, that he will receive a sentence that will deter others from the same game.