THE LATE GOLD ROBBERY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 434, 12 August 1870, Page 3

THE LATE GOLD ROBBERY.

At the Camp, Clyde.

The robbery of treasure, consisting of gold and nbtes, to the value of £14,066, from the Camp, on Monday, the Ist inst., has filled everybody with astonishment, not so much at the adroitness of the thieves, but the careless manner Jwith which the property was guarded, or more correctly speaking, not guarded at all, and from the fact that nothing but a common padlock existed between the treasure and the thieves. It is really a matter for woiider that the gold under escort was not stolen long since. Such a temptation never before existed in any other country. We were at first induced to lay the whole blame upon the police, but however culpable they may be, the Provincial Government are far more so. A policeman is but a man after all. He cannot perform more than one duty at one time, and as our camp is insufficiently officered, it is clear that something must go neglected. That there should be no iron safe to place treasure in while under escort, and nothing between it and the thief but a few deal boards, shews culpable negligence and this the Provincial Government will find out to their cost. The law holds them in the light of common carriers. Notwithstanding that they'declare themselves not responsible, and should ever the case come into the Supreme Court, they will be compelled to make good the whole of the loss. The most ordinary precautions for the security of the treasure were not taken. We fancy that an old housewife would have even been equally as careful of a load of coals. With stone everywhere so abundant as is the case at Clyde, wo ought to have ha 1 a stone gaol long since, as well as stone buildings for the camp officers, and above all a good safe set in stonework’ Such parsimoniousness is actually criminal, and the tax payer will be called upon to pay £14,000 and perhaps something more for expenses, in locking the stable down after the horse was stolen, because of a little official cheese-paring on the part of the Provincial Authorities. As Clyde from its central position must always be a stopping place for the escort, an increase of the Police Force until more suitable buildings are erected for the safe custody of treasure, and we may add prisoners, (there being really nothing to prevent their escape), absolutely necessary. An up-country station must be made somewhere and the s oner we have sufficiently strong gaol buildings erected, the sooner will public confidence return in the matter of the safe keeping of gold and bank notes under escort. However we may be inclined to blame the police in this matter the, ProGovernment are the real guilty persons, and will be held accountable for their negligence.