Posted by John Wilson on July 26, 2004 at 04:20:04 from 202.154.157.202 user hugo.
In Reply to: Re: George Owdon ....... posted by Amanda on July 26, 2004 at 00:21:23:
Mr Farland says to them at the end of BS that they better keep the photo of GO & RS pushing the boat (Catchalot) off, but that it probably would not be necessary.
That is, if their written confession(s) was/were adequate, he would not recommend prosecution. Evidently some other action was taken, so GO & RS “went away”.
Joe Bill & Pete were probably below the age of criminal responsibility, and too young to appear in court? Bill Wright in the AR Literary pages has them as not much older than Roger ie 7˝-8, though that is for SA. They are still only about ten if you add +2 for PP, WD, SW & BS. The age of criminal responsibility is still 14 in New Zealand except for murder or manslaughter (yes there has been a 13-year old, part of a gang).
Six yachts seems too many yachts waiting round to be picked up by their owners, which is why I think Sonning might be hiring out yachts too. Like Swallow in SD, the owners or for Swallow the users would want them as soon as possible, and the boatyard was probably late. As Captain Flint had said (according to Nancy, in PM) the only boatbuilder who finished on time was Noah because he knew that they would be drowned if he was late. Maybe all six yachts were waiting to be repaired?