THE HORSHAM BANK ROBBERY.

Kumara Times, Issue 2820, 5 October 1885, Page 2

THE HORSHAM BANK ROBBERY.

The trial of Hugh Milne Smith, for stealing £SOOO in notes and gold from the London Chartered Bank, Horsham, Victoria, in February, 1884, took place at Horsham, before Judge Trench, It was concluded, after three days' hearing, on Thursday, September 8. The prisoner was teller. The money was taken out of the treasury drawer some time between Thursday, the 28th of February, when it was last counted by the manager, and the following Monday morning, when the safe was opened. Smith, upon whom suspicion fell, was removed to Melbourne, and he afterwards left the service of the bank. The principal evidence against him was given by William Drysdale Ross, an ex-bank clerk, who joined Smith in starting a wheat-buying business in Horsham. They were in Horsham for a time, and then went off to Riverina to buy land, and settle down as stockowners. According to Ross, Smith had considerable sums of money in his possession when they were journeying from Melbourne via. Albury and Hay towards Bourke. Smith cashed a bank draft in Albury, and afterwards gave Ross £4OO to take care of. The detectives, who were following them up, arrested both Smith and Ross near Hay. Ross was afterwards released, in order that he might become Queen's evidence. Beyond saying, " Ross ia innocent of anything concerning my money," Smith made no communication to the detectives. At the trial Mr Purves defended the prisoner, and subjected Ross to a long cross-examination. The jury brought in a verdict of "Not guilty." The court was densely packed, and the Argus reporter states that the verdict was received with " tremendous cheering," which was " renewed when the prisoner left the dock."