MISSING £100 000

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 130, 23 May 1908, Page 3

MISSING £IOO 000

ARREST CU" IIEIRLSS'S UtVEU. lEACKEI) OVER TWO CONTINENTS. After a search ex tending over tin? two continents. America and Asia, Pink(iton detectives have succeeded in arresting in Sail I'rancisco dames Edward lioeck. Hoeck is alleged to have left New York 011 .May 15. 1907, with the proceeds of ai>i),<ion worth of gems entrusted to hint for sale by leading jewellers of the metropolis. Of Polish extraction. and born in China, lie originally eanie to the I'llited States as oiu» 01 the Cliine.M' Commissioners to the St. LouU Exhibition, where he formed many inlluential friend-ships. He did a thriving business in Chinese concession, until JSritUh competition in the Celestial kingdom undermined his prospects. Then hn emigrated to Vork. where he became a member of the Republican Club, mixed in the be<t society, and gained the affections and confidence, it is asserted, of at lea*t one eminent lady of fashion.

Living on a magnificent scale and associating with the best known members of the capitalistic oligarchy, lioeck, aided by a martial bearing and courtly manners, traded ill costly gems, lie lieeiine engaged to a weaithv young lady of Pittsburg, and after he had left New Vork creditors brought forward claim' againit Jiim for a total amount of cioiuinn.

It. appears that he went from Now W>rk lo China, and relumed alter some months to the goldliehls. lie is accused of having stolen CltHlll worllr of gems belonging lo a partner, who recognised him in San Erancisco and caused his arrest.