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Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1751, 25 September 1883, Page 2

The robbery at the Commercial Bank is now fully explained. The police finding that Richard Corbett, the bookmaker (-sic) the bank caretaker's son, could not be found, prosecuted enquiries. The caretaker's family declaied he was living in Sydney, whither a telegiam was despatched. A reply was received that he had gone to New Zealand a foi tnight befoie. The police, however discovered that he had been seen in Melbovu ne a few days ago, and subsequently traced him to Meagher's Hotel, Sandiidge, whore he had been living for 10 days uuder the name of Clayton. The police found Coibett in the hotel parlour. He denied all knowledge of the robbery. Upon taking him up-stairs, however, three bar,s of gold were found in his coat pocket, together with £41 in notes, £39 in gold, and £32 in .silver ; also, a loaded levolver. Corbett thereupon confessed that he had duplicate key.s made a year ago for all the safes in the Oommeri cial BanK. He watched his chance, and entered by the front door when Mr Pennock, the Ballarat manager, arrived with the gold. He concealed himself, effected the robbery during the night, and made his escape in the morning. He declared he had planted the balance of the plunder in a swamp, but upon being taken there no sign of the gold could be seen. It is certain that Corbett was the man who .stole £1000 which wah missed from the same bank two years ago, he having at that time declared that he had won £1000 in a sweep. It appears that one of his sistera knew he was in Melbourne. The police are now confident they will be able to recover the missing bars. m _ m ___ mmm _ m _^