SYDNEY BURGLARIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 107, 21 September 1912, Page 5

SYDNEY BURGLARIES.

SEVERAL HOTELS ROBBED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, September 20. A man armed with a revolver visited three hotels in the city yeste'rday. At the first he paid two visits, threatening the licensee on each occasion. At the second he was accompanied by two mates. A customer who was flashing some gold in the parlour received a wound on the forehead with a knuckleduster, but fled. The three men followed, firing one shot, which was unsuccessful, returned to the bar, and ordered drinks. The landlady refused to serve them, and the men then departed. The climax occurred at Durracq's hotel, at the corner of Elizabeth and Campbell street*. At 4 o'clock a man, with bis face swathed in a handkerchief, and carrying a revolver. Ir.irst into the liar, rushed to the till, and helped liimself to its contents. The licensee, aged 7*2. closed with the intruder, and gripped his wrist. The man freed himself and decamped. Tln> licensee pursued and grappled with the robber, whose revolver went off. The shot attracted two policemen, who arrested the robber.

Reports of other robberies continue to be received. The licensee of a suburban hotel was robbed of £52. A Chinese gardener in the same suburb lost £SO. In another suburb. Masonic jewels valued at £2O were stolen, and in a third suburb £25 worth of jewellerv was secured.

A large number of tradespeople have been victimised by a man giving the name of a prominent client and an order over the telephone, stating that a boy would call for the goods. The tradesmen have unsuspectingly handed them over to the boy. Over £IOO worth have been obtained in this way.

COOLING REMANDED. EFFECTS OF DRINK. Received 20, 10 p.m. Sydney, September 20. George Cooling, perpetrator of the hotel sensations, was remanded on charges of stealing £2 from Durracq's Hotel and maliciously shooting at the younger Durracq. He was bailed for £SOO. CooliDg urked that he had been drinking, and •was irresponsible for his actions. He had not intended to steal or do anything else.