ARMED FOOTPADS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1924, Page 4

ARMED FOOTPADS.

- A I,A I’M IN AIKI.IKHItXK. I’i’OM IN KXT MKN KOBBF.D. SVDXKV, July 10. .Melbourne no longer holds up hothead as the model 01. law-abiding respectability ami exomplariuess amongst H o cities ol Australia. Her reputation, "hat with the police mutiny and the horrible excesses which accompanied it. the tram strike and other sensalions, hits stiliered grievously, and now conies a.a exl rmirdiitary series ol ‘'hold-ups’’ ol well-known men in good class subuHis by armed and masked loot pad-, who by threats and garrotting relieve their victims of all their valuables. The first outrage ol the kind during the present series occurred a week or two tigo, whim four or five men entered a building where a suburban pariy had gathered for cards, and at the point of revolvers sewed hundreds of pounds nnd a quantity of jewellery. The next phase was al the week-end, when several gentlemen walking alone at night were suddenly accosted by an armed man with u revolver and almost simultaneously seized front behind, the tactics followed ia each case being almost identical. One of the victims was tin* popular and able Secretary for the Xav.v. Mr C’. 1,. Maoandio. Although .Mr Macandie is a strong and well-built mail, standing about six feet, his athletic qualities in such circumstances could avail hint nothing, for ili-crelion was the better parf of valour, and he was luckily carrying only about live pounds at the time. Important letters that he had left at his home in order to post were not interfered with. The publication of the details in the morning papers led to Air Alnonndie being subjected to much chaffing at the Xav.v Office on Alonduy. The first thing that greeted him on arrival was a large representation of skull and crossbones adorning his desk, together with a design of a revolver out out in paper, hearing in

Mnck and a moneylender’s advertisement oflerin;' loans on enticing terms. All day admirals, officials, military officers, and Jailiticians were dropping in to hear first-hand details of the affair from him and make facetious offers of temporary financial accommodation and-so oil. lint while the affair may have its amusing sides it is viewed very seriously, for a veritable reign of terror has been brought about in the suburbs. The Commissioner of Police has warned citizens that it is extremely dangerous to be alone in the streets at night. To those wlio must lie abroad direct advice is given that they should carry a loaded stick or firearms. .Mr (I. M. Manley, clerk at the .Melbourne and .Metropolitan Hoard of Works, one of the victims, says there were three men, and they worked so silently that it was only the man who first accosted him that he heard speak or actually say anything. “When he first came towards me,” said Mr .Manley, “1 thought that there was only one. Re called out something and I stopped. Then lie came close up, and I saw that lie had a revolver in his hand and that his face was partly covered. When T realised that it was not a joke 1 | thought T would give him a go for it. lie wa> holding the revolver in such a way that I could have knocked it out of his grasp with my elhow. -lust as I was about tu call out, however, someone passed his arms around my net k from behind, and my arms were pinioned in a grip that hurt. I was ahsoluicly powerless to resist, anil when I struggled slightly my head was twisted and the grip on my throat mi- lightened. They simple held me ami helped themselves to my belongings.” There is some discussion as to whether the footpads used a motorear. Of (lie live victims Mr .Marainlio is the only one who actually beard a motor-ear start a few minutes after the desperadoes bad ordered him to return the way which lie bad come without looking back on pain of death. It is believed that the men are in possession of a fast motor-ear which i hey leave in a laneway near to where they intend to operate, and after watching (heir victims mil nl sight make a dash fur it, probably having one of the gang ready at tile wheel in ease of emergency.