SPECIMEN STEALING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 51, 5 December 1871, Page 3

SPECIMEN STEALING.

TWO MEN ARRESTED ON SUSPICION. Yesterday morning two men were observed fossicking around the Caledonian shoot, and pocketing stones. They were immediately seized by the braceinan, Sanderson, William Rowe, jun., and Captain Richards, and, without much trouble, conveyed to the police station. Both of them arc well known to the police, having been watched foi some time. One of them is the lad Avho a short time since sold the zinc amalgam to Mr Bruce for £5. Whilst being brought down they they were observed to throw away some pieces of which were carefully picked up and are now in charge of the police. When brought to the station they were searched, and on the older prisoner (a West Indian half-caste) was found a pocket book containing receipts for shares m various companies, and several other things of little importance. On Donovan was found amorigst other things a metal ticket or badge containing the words “ John Bates," stenographed on it. When asked what this was, he said, “ That belongs to some of the Caledonian men, and is either a man’s name or a password. I got it out of a bag of specimens which had been planted, which plant I sprung.” He also said that he would have lots more to say about several men, that he had often sprung plants of specimens, and that the men who had planted them dared not say anything to him about it. He turned to a man standing by and said, “ I shall have something to say about you too young man.” From all this it would seem as if something was about to be revealed about the much talked of specimen stealing which has been going on for some time past, and now perhaps many men who have had doubts cast upon their honesty will bo cleared entirely from suspicion. From what the lad has said, if there be any truth in it, it is pretty evident that a regular wholesale robbery has been going on for some time past, and that numbers of men must have been implicated, as one or two could not manage it by themselves. We trust that it may not be true, but it looks very suspicious. We were given to understand, on pretty reliable authority, that a plant of specimens had been sprung in the mine yesterday morning, but cannot guarantee its accuracy. Change of management seems to have given the long waited for queue, nnd not an instant too soon, because wdiatever turn affairs take, it will be satisfactory to have things cleared up. If this specimen stealing has been going on as some people say, the thieves ought to be brought to justice and severely punished. If it has not, honest men will be cleared from a suspicion which has long hung over their heads. The lads will be brought up at the Police Court this morning.