A Famous Bank Robbery.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3115, 11 February 1879, Page 3

A Famous Bank Robbery.

Nearly a quarter of a century ago, Melbourne was startled by a mysterious robbery from one of the principal banks. A rery large sum of money disappeared, no one could say how. The Melbourne detectives at that time were celebrated for their acutenens, but in this case they were utterly baffled. There was in the bank a highly respected and much trusted clerk; whom we shall call Mr Smoothface. This 'gentleman was suspected by the detectives, and though much against the will of the bank authorities, he was arrested. Every effort was made by the detectives to sheet the robbery home to him, for if successful they would gain great prestige. They were, however, completely frustrated in their attempt. Nothing tangible could be adduced against Mr Smoothface, and he was set free. The detectives still believed him guilty, and secretly kept a close watch over his every movement, but with no result. Two years after .the commission of the crime there was a large sale of city allotments in Melbourne, The shrewdest detective, in Victoria happened to be present looking out for a man who was " wanted " by the police. He saw a money-lender there whose reputation was rather " shady." This n&n bought a valuable section of land, aifc paid for it in £100 notes. The detective thought it strange that so many very large notes should be in the possession of this man. He at once called to mind the bank robbery. He had in his pocket-book the numbers of all the notes stolen on that' occasion. He informed the auctioneer that he had suspicions, and was allowed to examine the notes paid by the money-lender. These notes corresponded exactly with some of those stolen from the bank. The moneylender was at once arrested. He said that he had purchased these £100 notes from a man, giving £50 for each of them. This was a fatal admission. He was convicted of receiving property knowing it be stolen, and was sentenced to two years' penal servitude. Mr Smoothface started .business in one of the suburbs of Melbourne, and pros* pered for some years. He bad a brother in Queensland, who wrote to him urging him to buy some property there. . Mr Smoothface consented and requested his brother to. make the purchase on his behalf. He forwarded the money for the purpose, not by bank draft, but in notes,, which were confided to the care of a friend who was going to Queensland. The brother took these Victorian notes to a Queensland bank to get them exchanged- for Queensland notes. The teller, was surprised at the largeness of the notes. It was a thing unexampled in his experience to see so many Victorian. £100 pound notes in Queensland. The manager was consulted. He remembered him of the notorious robbery which had been perpetrated in Melbourne years before. The numbers of the notes stolen on that occasion had been sent to the banks all through Australasia. He turned up the record and found that the notes just brought tallied with some of those which had been stolen. Smoothface's brother had to account for how he become possessed of them. The Victorian police were apprised of the discovery. The detectives came upon Smoothface before the letter sent by his brother to, warn him of his danger had reached him. His house was searched and the whole of the notes not yet accounted for were found hidden there. Smoothface was tried, convicted, and sentenced to seven years' hard labour. After coming out of prison, he left for New Zealand. He gradually rose to a comfortable position, and carried on business in various towns in this colony. He conducted himself as a strictly honest man, and was much respected. In the course of years he met with severe reverses, and was reduced to poverty. A considerable time ago he came to the then Province of Wellington. His hard circumstances preyed upon, his mind. He took to drinking. His old spirit of wickedness took hold of him. He transgressed the law, was detected, brought before the B,M, Court in Wellington, and committed for trial. In due course he was convicted at the criminal sittings of the Supreme Court, and sentenced to a term of imprisonment. That term is still unexpired; Smoothface is still a denizen in Wellington gaol.— Chronicle. , < ■