POST-OFFICE ROBBERY AT NAPIER.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2306, 25 August 1881, Page 3

POST-OFFICE ROBBERY AT NAPIER.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TBLEGBAM.J NAPIER August 24. Fred. Day Rendle, a letter r rriflP attached to the Napier Post-office, who mbs arrested last night, charged with tampering with letters, is a young man of superior education, and came to the colony about seven years ago as a midshipman on an emigrant ship, and ran away when the ship was at N apier. He was brought before the Court tins morning and remanded till Monday. Further particulars in connection with the charge against the prisoner have leaked out, though the police are very reticent. It is known that about two hundred and fifty stamps, torn from letters, were found on Eendle’s person. There were of all denomi nations, from four shillings to one penny, but the greater number were sixpenny stamps, evidently taken from letters for England. In some instances scraps of paper, with writing on, are attached to the stamps, which may

lead to the identification of some letter*. Eendle shewed up a groat many, evidently intending io make away with the evidence against him, but he apparently thought better of it, and endeavored to get them conveyed to his wife, but unsuccessfully. It is doubtful whether any other charge than letter opening will be preferred, as it is thought that, although several tradesmen recognise things which they believe to have been stolen, they cannot swear to them. These things are chiefly in the nature of books, music or engravings, which cannot be specially identified. To day the police went round with the skeleton keys found on Handle, and evidently made by himself by filing down ordinary keys. They were found to unlock the doors of several shops he is alleged to have entered. The extent of his frauds can only be guessed at, but a very uneasy feeling pervades in the public mind, especially in business circlet, as the stamps found on the man go to show that large numbers of letters posted here must have been done away with. Rendle’g arrest was a universal surprise. He was generally respected, and there was not a steadier man in town, and during the years he has been here nothing discreditable has ever been alleged against him. He neither drank nor gambled, his evenings being generally spent in the practice of music, he being proficient on half a dozen instruments. An immense stock of music was found in his house. It now, however, appears that of late ho has severely ill-treated his wife, and has given her cause for jealousy, which may account for her informing against him.