THE GOLD ROBBERY AT CLYDE.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2263, 8 August 1870, Page 2

THE GOLD ROBBERY AT CLYDE.

The Cromwell Argus gives some additional particlars

It appears that, in consequence of the bad state of the roads, it was lately deemed advisable that, during the winter months, the gold should only be forwarded to Dunedin by escort once a month, instead of fortnightly as hitherto. The quantity of gold sent down to the Dunstan last week was con?equently much larger than usual, and it so happened that, in addition to the valuable gold treasure in charge of the escort on that occa«ion, over L 3,000 in notes was received from the banks for transmission to Dunedin. On Sunday, as usual, everything was got in readiness for a start by the coach early on the following morning; and the gold and specie were taken over by Mr Inspector Dalgleish (who has been in charge of the same escort for seven or eight years) and deposited in the usual place for safe keeping. The building used for this purpose is the lock-up, and is about 14ft long by Oft wide. In th* middle of it there is a passage a couple of feet wide, forming it into two cells, in one of which the boxes were deposited. Both the inner and outer doors were bolted and locked, and up till half-past twelve o’clock everything appears to have been all right. At half-past four the men turned out to get in readiness for a start by the coach at halfpast five; and at about five o’clock Constable M'Lennan went to Mr Inspector Dalgleish’s quarters to call him. Sergeant Neill and Constable M'Lennan were deputed to go to the lock-up and bring out the gold, and it was then that the robbery was discovered. The method by which the robbers effected an entrance into the lock-up seems to liave been by opening the outer lock with an ordinary key. The lock of the inner door was not touched, but the plate through which the bolt was fastened was unscrewed, and there before them were the four boxes containing the treasure. They then, it appears, carried away two of the boxes. The robbers must have been well acquainted with the construction of the lock-up, as they had, after taking away the gold, carefully locked the outer door after them. They then must have carried tho boxes close past the policemen’s quarters, at tho rear of which there is a sod wall about 4ft. Gin. high. On the top of this wall they had rested the boxt-s, for next morning the marks were plainly visible. The only other traces that could be seen were most indistinct foot-prints, with particles of wool from socks or stockings adhering ; and a bag, which has since been identified by Mr Hazlett, as one which was in his possession within fourteen days prior to the time at which the robbery was comm tted. During the day (Monday) Sergt. Neill discovered the boxes in a water-hole or race close to the camp, emptied of their contents. Close by this hole were to be seen the foot-prints of horses, apparently fresh. The iron safe formerly used for holding the gold-boxes was, it teems, removed some time ago from Clyde to the Pigroot; and now’, for want of a safe, about L 14,000 worth of gold and specie—the property of the Banks —has fallen into the hands of a gang of burglars, with very little chance of it ever being recovered. A correspondent of tho Price Standard

writes :—lt has been usual for some time past to deposit the boxes of gold, &c., awaiting escort, in one of the cells of a spare ward, known as the female prisoners’ ward ; a small weather-board building closely adjoining another similar building, occupied as a gaol for male prisoners. At the rear of these buildings, and in close proximity thereto, stand the police barracks and sergeant’s office—not, however, overlooking the doors, of either of the lockups. To the left are the gaoler’s quarters, with a window overlooking both wards. The sergeant’s and inspector’s quarters are about 30 yards from the gold-room. The outer - door of the females’ room, from the fact o its being disused as a lockup, is merely fastened by an ordinary lock, The cell wherein the gold was placed was supposed to be more secure, being lined with iron, and fastened by a heavy iron bar and strong “ Chubb ” lock. The thieves, evidently well acquainted with these facts, appear to have watched until the police were off guard, then quietly unlocked the outer door with an ordinary key, and set to work to open the inner door. This they effected by simply withdrawing a few screws which held an iron plate fixed to one end of the bar of iron, and fastened by the screws to the jamb of the door. This compl ted, they had no difficulty in opening the door of the cell, and securing the iron boxes wherein the gold was packed. Two of these they carried away, and from the slight traces left, they appear to have carried them round the back of the barracks, resting them on a sod wall, which is built within ten feet of the barracks. Over this wall the boxes were taken. The thieves then seemed to have returned, quietly replaced the bar, put back the screws holding it to the door-post, closed and locked the outer door, and quietly decamped, leaving behind them in the cell, for reasons best known to themselves, another box, containing IGOO ozs. of gold. The only traces yet found of the robbers has been the discovery of the two missing boxes, skilfully unscrewed, and minus their contents, thrown into a shallow water-hole, about two chains from the rear of the Camp, and also an improvised dark lantern, mafle from a small mustard tin, and a woollen sack. The police have searched the neighbourhood, and scoured the country in all directions, but, as yet, without avail. At tw Ive o’clock on Sunday night the gold room was visited by the sergeant in charge, who found everything all right.