CRIME IN SYDNEY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5241, 20 February 1928, Page 4

CRIME IN SYDNEY.

THREAT TO CITY FIRMu

" BEWARE THE RAZOR GANG.” “Wouldn’t leash No good. Beware at night-time. The Razor Gang.” Printed in block red ink letters, this message, on the top of which was fastened a safety razor blade, startled the manager of a well-known hosiery firm in William Street, Sydney, when he opened his, mail the other morning. The “Razor Gang is Sydney’s latest bogey. It has taken the place of the. Black Hand Gang, Springheel Jack, and other organisations and individuals who have terrorised Sydney in the past. Last week it was discovered that portion of the William Street firm’s mail was missing. Little was thought of the incident ;at the time, .aS it was considered that the letters had gone astray.

Three letters were involved, each containing a postal order for £1 from the firm’s Hamilton (Newcastle) representative. They arrived in dramatic fashion at the firm’s office a day or two later. When the manager (Mr Carlyle Smith) opened his 1 morning mail he found a singular document. Written on a sheet of coarse writing paper was a message rivalling those that in yeans past were despatched by the famous “Black Hand” organisation. At the top of the paper was affixed a safety razor blade, pinned on by an ordinary office clip. At the side of it were lurid dashes in red ink, as if to emphasise the “badness” of the writer or writers. Enlclosed were' the three' £1 postal orders. They were badly mutilated, and obviously an attempt at forgery had been made. ATTEMPTED FORGERY. Under a microscope the word “Smith” was revealed written in penr Cil. The fact that forgery had been attempted is established by a. telephone message received by the firmlast week. When the office girl aniswered the ‘phone a man’s voice asked who was the manager. On being asked, to state his business he replied that it was purely a personal matter. ■ He was then told that the manager’s name was Smith, but was not given any further particulars. The firm, has suffered at the hands of thieves, in the past. On one occasion the. cash box was stolen juj broad daylight. On another occasion a man called to interview the manager, ostensibly in connection with a position. He was told to; wait. The manager entered the room in time to see the embryo applicant disappearing do,wn the steps with a particularly valuable clock owned by the firm. On still another occasion a man wrenched off the lock of the front door, gained entrance to the building and visited the firm’s offices. He climbed over a partition, and helped himself to about six dozen pairs of silk stockings. MANAGER’S REPORT. Mr Carlyle Smith, when initerviewed by a Press representative, said that he was inclined to treat the threat as serious. In , view of. the three previous robberies lhe could only consider that some man with ■malice against the firm was responsible for the letter.

“We keep about £5O in the safe each night,” said Mr Smith, “but since this letter I am taking strong precautions.” The Darlinghurst police have the letter v received by the firm, and are investigating.