BANK ROBBERY AT MURCHISON

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1921, Page 3

BANK ROBBERY AT MURCHISON

[UY TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION THE MONEY RECOVERED. PLANTED NEAR THE RANK.

NELSON, Feb. 24 The Nelson police to-day received word regarding tin* Muchison Bank robbery that the stolen money has been recovered It was found not far from the Bank of New Zealand on the river bank, beneath a bridge, and there was none of the cash missing. Detective Young and several police fiom Nelson are continuing their investigations, and this feeling at Murchison is that one or two arrests may be made on the spot. It is on that the police are concentrating their attention upon Murchison alone, so they must anticipate finding the guilty party or paj'tie-i there.

! MYSTERY STILL UNSOLVED.. ! NELSON, Feb. 24 1 An air of mystery still surrounds the robbery at tin- Murchison branch of the Lank of New Zealand. Several police officers have been inquiring into the affairs, but so far they have no pronouncement to make. The bank teller (Engall). who sleeps on the bank premises, attended the Chautauqua Concert, on the evening previous to the morning of the robbery. Engall returned to the Bank after the fieriormanee, lie then went to bed. The evidence so far available is to the effect that the Teller did not see the men who overpowered him. The first tiling that he knew was that a blanket was thrown over liis head, apparently by <yic man, and he was apfarently tied by another. Then his keys were taken and the safe opened.

There is no definite evidence -of the time the robbery occurred, but tho Teller states the estimates on the time he re mained bound up, that it must have been about three a.m. About seven o'clock the Teller managed to free himself, and he went and informed the Manager of the occurrence. The finger-print system is now one of the greatest aids in leading to the detccion of such crimes, and the police have made the necessary preparations in this respect. There is, so tar, nothing to indicate bow the premises were entered. Up to this evening no arrest had been made.

NO FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. NELSON, Feb. 25. Other than the recovery of the stolen money, there are no further developments in the Murchison bank robbery. The nqjnev which was found under a bridge in the vicinity of the township, was wrapped up in a brown paper parcel. No due has been discovered as to [low the stolen money was conveyed and deposited under the bridge.