THE LATE GOLD ROBBERY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 435, 19 August 1870, Page 2

THE LATE GOLD ROBBERY.

DISCOVERY OF THE TREASURE AND CAPTURE OF THE THIEVES. The 'inost gratifying task we have had to perform since our connexion with the Fourth Estate is to publish to the world at large the fact of the discovery of the treasure stolen from the Clyde Camp on the morning '6f the Ist of August instant, and that the robbers are in safe custody. The hitter fact, we must say, affords us the most intense satisfaction, as now the suspicion which was of necessity bound to rest on men of hitherto unimpeachable character is entirely removed, and we are enabled to take their hands without fear of contamination. Asa duty to ourselves, and, as far as we can, assuage the feelings of some whose very souls were lacerated by the unjust suspicions of their complicity in the robbery resting upon them. We tearlessly say that the more intelligent among us sincerely and deeply sympathised with them, utterly repudiating the belief that they had any act or part in the committal of the crime, and when the intelligence ct the capture and confession of the thief and the recovery of nearly all the stolen property was made known, it was received with the utmost satisfaction and joy The entire history of the planning and carrying out of the robbery we attempt in the following, abridged from Rennie’s confession ; —ln the first place, the perpetrators of the robbery were Malcolm M'Lennun a police constable, stationed at Clyde for the last six months, and George Rennie, a shoemaker, residing at the Arrow, formerly Wardstnan ot the Wakatip Hospital. They were shipmates from Scotland, and since their arrival in the colony have kept up correspondence with each other. About the month of May M'Lennan appears first to have conceived the idea of the robbery, and visited the Arrow on leave of absence. He took with him (according to Rennie’s statement) one of the screws of the treasure boxes, from which Rennie made a key, by which he could open the boxes M'Lennan and Rennie returned to Clyde together, and the whole of the details were arranged, and opportunity only wanting to carry the plan into execution. In the meantime M'Lennan was not idle. He ingeniously contrived the dark lantern which was used on the occaj sion, and drew the screws from the plate of the bolt which fastened the : treasure room, cut of the greater portion of the worms, and then replaced them, so as to facilitate the taking oft' the holt On the 3rd or July Rennie again visitedGiyde, with the intention of perpetrating the robbery, but, it was deemed but it was deemed impolitic to do it on that night, as his o complice was on guard. On the 31st ult. tiennie again came dowu, when it unfortunately happened there was no j guard over the treasure, and succeded i in perpetrating as skillfull arranged a 'robbery as was ever commi'ted. | Rennie at first stated he had acted | acted alone, but subsequently stated ' that, shortly after la.m., after tying his horse to a fence, he proceeded to tlie camp, where M'Lennan awaited him. M'Lennan opened the outer door Rennie went Aside-; unfastened the inner door, and carried away two boxes of treasure to the wall, upon he placed them. There ho opened them, and ha ving packed the go d ii to saddie-bags, threw the dark lantern and empty boxes into a shallow pool of water. Everything being so far successful, he mounted his horse, and started on his return journey, avoiding the town. Rennie said, *' On just getting out of the town my heart gave way, and I regretted what I had done.” About a mite out of the town, finding bis horse Could not travel with the great weight, Rennie planted a portion of the treasure in three places, keeping in bis possession two bags of go[d (containing respectively twenty three and two hhndfed ounces) and three bundles of no'es. With these he proceed, and reached within ten miles of the Arrow, when his horse knocked up, and he was com pelled to resort to the measures described by our Allow correspondent We nave now to retrace 'our steps to Clyde and will commence at the Ten Mile shanty, where, Whilst in charge of Constable Smith, Hunt, and M,Garni, the prisoner sprung the first plant, consisting of two hundred ounces of gold and one bundle of notes, procetding onwards past the Gentle Annie store, the prisoner pointed out a paiticnlar s> ot. where he says, two bundles ot notes aild a bag of gold fell out of his pocket, and as he thinks, must have fallen into the Kawnrau, as he failed to find them. After reaching Cromwell, where refreshments were had, Mr. Sub Inspector Percy, with a posse of police escorted the prisoner to Clyde, on the road, the party was met by Mr Commissioner Weldon, in whose presence, the remainder of the stolen treasure was taken from the various plants as pointed out by the prisoner, the whole being obtained, a small difficulty arose how it would be token into Clyde, there being more parcels

than hands to carry them, the prisoner here stepped forward, and with the most consummate coolness and honcholance said, “ Oh, I’M carry One of Jthe bags. ” his polite offer was bolitely declined, the party quickly made their way to the Camp, when the treasure was found to be correct, with the exception of the parcels stated to be ost On thb Monday morning, the prisoner was br night before Vincent Pyke, Esq., R.M., and Messrs Turnbull and Fraser, J.P’s, and remanded for eight days. Suspicion having fallen upon Con stable M'Lennan, he was removed to Naseby, from which place he was brought to Clyde on Vednesday last in the custody of Detective Farrell and safely lodged in gaol. On Thursday, morning, he was brought before Vincent Pyke, Esq., R.M. and remanded till Tuesday, the £3rd instant.