ADVENTURES OF AMY BOCK.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3178, 1 May 1909, Page 6

ADVENTURES OF AMY BOCK.

FURTHER DETAILS. The following is taken from the Dunedin "Star": —Amy Bock arrived in New Zealand in 1885, and it was in May, 1886, that Amy Bock, first came under the notice of the police. In that month she served a sentence of one month for false pretences, and has since served sentences in Christchurch, Wellington, Dunedin, Oamaru, and Titnaru, for false pretences, forgery and larceny. Her last sentence was three years in Christchurch in 1805. The real facts leading up to the arrest of the accused on the present occasion are that a man named Kennedy called at the police station last week and complained that there was a man at the Nuggets whom he was sure was an imptister. Detective Hunt asked if his name v\as that of a well known criminal that he knew was in the locality, and whom he described, and on Kennedy replying in the negative, and remarking that some women's clothing was found in the man's trunks, Detective Hunt immediately exclaimed "It's Amy." With that he showed Kennedy a photograph of Amy Bock, exposing her face only, and on Kennedy replying that it was something like him, that was sufficient for the detectives. He was on her track by the earliest train that day. A letter was found on accused stamped and ready to be posted, showing clearly that she was preparing to escape, ft was signed 'Frances Redwood" (her supposed mother), and was addressed to the proprietor of the Albion Hotel, Wellington. It was dated the Nuggets, April 22nd, and stated that she (Mrs Redwood) would be stopping at the hotel. Enclosed was a telegram, which she asked to be 3ent to her son at the Nuggets. The telegram read : Carol Redwood, Nuggets—Meet us Lyttelton, Friday. (Sgd.) Mother.

The first letter received by Mrs Ottaway from "Mrs Redwood" read: — Dear Mrs Ottaway,—l have received a letter from my dear son saying he wishes to marry your daughter. I have not the pleasure of knowing her, but I am sure she is all my boy says she is, or he would not love her, as he tells me he does, and as I hope and trust she will be loving and good. ... I suppose Carol has told of his having been once engaged before, but it was some years ago, and it was merely a boy and girl affair. The dear eirl was drowned some twelve years ago, and Carrol na<s never thought of anyone else till now. In another letter "the mother" writes to "her darling boy" apologising for not being able to attend the wedding on account of her daughter being married the s'ame day, and stating: "We shall be with you in spirit, as you will be with us, and | our ceremony shall be at three o'clock, as yours will be. I will go down with them as far as Welling-

ton, where they take boat for Syd, ney, leaving there the following week for America. I shall then go on to the Nuggets and remain with Mrs Ottaway to wait your return from Melbourne." In the same letter "Mrs Redwood" states that the members of his club had presented him with a beautiful dinner service and mentioned other presents given Ly friends. The cabman who was engaged to drive the pair from the Nuggets to Dunedin is sorry the day he met "Mr Percy Redwood," who he reckons owes him £3O. Gabby left Dunedin full of hope and prospects, and after a three days' journey reached the Nuggets, but the game was up by this time, and he had to return to Dunedin a sadder but wiser man. A Balcluiha tradesman with an account for £lO called on "Mr Redwood" at the Nuggets and asked for payment. "Can you change £IOO note?" asked the wealthy Redwood. "No," replied the astonished tradesman. "Well, then I will bee if Mr Ottaway can change it," and away Redwood went to see Mr Octuway. The latter, who like all the others never had the slightest suspicion as to the genuineness of his future son-in-law,, handed him £lO with which to pay the account, and "Redworjd," pocketing the money, coolly informed the tradesman that Mr Ottaway could not change the £IOO note, but that he would be in Balclutha the fol ■ lowing day, when he would pay him. Accused, when arrested, was wearing a gold medal with the inscription "Presented to Percy C. Redwood by his friends." This, it has been learnt, was purchased by accused when travelling from Dunedin to the Nuggets by train.