The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1910-09-19
QUARTERMASTER
Of s. 5. CHINA
IS ARRESTED
CAUGHT AS HE WALKED DOWN
THE GANGwAY SMUGGLING A
BOLT OF SILK.

SAN FRANCISCO, September IL
Attempting to smuggle ashore a bolt
of pongee silk and two pongee shawls,
valued at $50, Frank Tara, alias
Frank Smith, quartermaster on the
Pacific Mail liner China, was arrested
as he walked down the gangplank
shortly after o'clock yesterday morn
ing by Custom-house Inspector e. e.
Enlaw at pier A just after the steam
er had completed a voyage from the
Orient.
The bolt of silk was concealed be-
meath Smiths undershirt, while the
shawls were hidden in his trousers.
Having information that the quarter
master would attempt to smuggle
ashore the goods. Enlow watched
his man as he came down the gang
plank. AS Smith approached En-
low he looked neither to right nor left.
The customs inspector waited until
he had stepped from the gangplank
onto the wharf and then took him into
custody.
The China's quartermaster was TAX
en- to the Custom house, where he was
searched and the smuggled goods
found upon his person. He did not
deny his guilt, saying that he wished
to give the silk and shawls to his bro
Their as a present. His brother lives
at Harrison street.
After the searching process had
been completed, Enlow took his pri-
soner to the United States District
Court, in the Federal building, where
he charged him with smuggling. He
was released on $3.50 bail and his case
will come up before United States
Commissioner Brown tomorrow morn
ing at 10 o'clock.
When questioned by United States
District Attorney Black as to his in
tentions with the Struggled goods,
Terra, or Smith, cried like baby, say
ing that, although he knew he was
violating the law, he was not bringing
the goods into the country for the pur-
pose of selling them.
81 know it looks like was trying to
smuggle the goods into the United
States without paying duty" he said,
'and then going and selling them, but
l brought them for my brother as a
present. / have been employed by the
Pacific Mail Company for the past ten
years. and this is the first time that I
have been in trouble. I never attempt
ed to do such a thing before, but it
looked so easy, and then again l had
no intention of selling item. l hope
the officers will let me off easy for the
offense"
Terra is known on board the China
as Quartermaster Frank Smith He
explains the las as being a name ne
uses when at sea, and stated that he
is known by his right name, or Terra,
on land. The apprehended Quarter
master is 50 years or age anG, accord
ing to the Federal records, has never
been in trouble before.
Twenty-three five-tael tins of opium
were seized yesterday afternoon on
the Pacific Mail steamer China by Gus.
toms Inspector Enlow of the searching
squad. This is the largest seizure
that has been made for some months.
On the liner Siberia, now III port, ms
pector Enlow foun dthirteen tins
week ago.
The seizure yesterday was some
what of a surprise for although the
searchers have been working diligent-
ly on all the incoming transpacific
boats, nothing had developed Enlow
found the opium concealed in No. 2
stateroom on the saloon deck, where it
had evidently been placed by one of
the Chinese crew.