Detection of an Amalgam-Stealer.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 179, 15 April 1873, Page 7

Detection of an Amalgam-Stealer.

(Thames Advertiser. ) For some timo past Captain Richards, manager of the Caledonian mine, has had suspicions that amalgam was being systematically stolen from the company's lottery, but all efforts to confirm his belief liy the detection of the robbery were, unavailing, lie acquainted Mr Sub-Inspec-tor Ballon with his suspicions, and on Saturday morning, about three o'clock, Constable Grace was concealed in the ma-chine-house. He was regularly built into a small space over the battery office, from which he could obtain a good view of all that proceeded in the machine-house. Here he had to remain for twelve hours, amidst smoke and dust arising from the engine and boilers. Shortly before three o'clock in the afternoon, or just before the clnnge of shifts, he observed a man named Richard

Sullivan, alias James M'lntosh, whose duty it was to take the silver and amalgam out of the berdans, and place it in an enamelled pan in readiness for the amalgamator, take a piece of rag out of his breast, and squeeze portions of the silver through it. This he noticed several times. Finally, Sullivan left the main building, and went into the old battery building, which is on the lower level. Constable Grace then burst out of his position, pounced on his man, and arrested him. lie found in his possession 1 oz. 12 dwts. of squeezed amalgam. The constable conveyed the prisoner to the mine manager, to whom he acknowledged he had committed himself, but pleaded that he was a poor man. Accotnpanie I by the manager, the prisoner was conveyed to the Granamstown watchhouse, and he will be brought before the Police Court to-day, to answer the charge of larceny. The house occupied by the prisoner was searched after his arrest, and about a pound weight of quicksilver was discovered th;?re. The capture was a clever one, and every credit is due to Constable Grace for the intelligence which he displayed throughout. His position was not at all an enviable one while he was on the watch, for even the food which he took with him soon became so far penetrated with dust and smoke that he could not eat it, and he had to remain in his uncomfortable position, doubled up in the form of the letter Z, without food for fully 12 hours.—Capt. Frascr, the E. M., dealt summarily with the case, and gave Sullivan twelve months' imprisonment, with hard labour. By recent telegram?, we notice that two men have been charged with stealing specimens from the same mine. One of the men turned Queen's evidence, and the other, Milner, has been committed.