AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2919, 22 August 1879, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per Wakatipu],

THE LANCEFIKLD BANK ROBBERY,

WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Wakatipu, which arrived tliis afternoon, brings one day's later news from Sydney and Melbourne. Intelligence respecting the Lance Bold sticking-up case states that Lancefield is situated 16 miles from the railway line, and between 30 and 40 miles from Melbourne. Expecting a raid, the police cautioned the Bank authorities some time back, and two special troopers were sent to the locality, but on this occasion one was absent in Melbourne. Ihe Commercial Rank is the only one in the township, and is situated at the intersection of two principal streets and 30 yards away from the police camp, the two buildings being only divided by a fence. When the two men entered, the younger took out his pocket-book and turned over the leaves. Morrison did not know what they wanted, otherwise he might have recovered his revolver, which was near. The other man then said "We are tho Kcllys, and have secured tho police," at tho same time presenting a revolver at Morrison. They afterwards took out a piece of rope and tied and gagged him. The younger man then went round the counter, but hearing a noise in a dwelling-house, put up the chain of the door leading to it. One man then opened the teller's drawers and took out all the money. He asked for the key of tho safe, and Morrison said tho safe was open. They found this statement correct, and took out £100 in notes, asking if that was all the money in the Bank. Morrison replied in the affirmative, hut the fact is there was £4,000 in the Bank at the time. When the men were at the safe Morrison, though gagged, muttered out that £10 of the money in the safe was his own and the elder man made the younger return it. After having obtained all the money they could get they decamped. When Musty, a creditor, came into the Bank and was tailed up he thought it was a joke. He was locked up in the manager's room, and he seized the opportunity to hide his money under the hearthrug. It was stated in the Assembly that the Government declined to relieve the meatpreserving and other industries affected by the Stock Tax.

Mr Berry stated that so far as he coidd see all the £5,000 voted would be absorbed by the Embassy. The celebrated brood marc Rose De Florence, dam of Maribyrnong and others, died of old age. The Exhibition Commissioners say thoy believe that tho interests of the colony will be advanced by the educational effects of the Exhibition upon the people of Victoria, and that an increase of revenue will accrue from the amounts paid on dutiable goods and from the railway traffic returns. The entries for the Sydney Exhibition have closed.

The Collingwood Coffee Company's report shows satisfactory progress. The Bishop of Melbourne has called a Church Assembly for 4th Sept. His Excellency the Governor has consented to become patron to the Rifle Association.

Messrs Money Wigram's steamer Northumberland proceeds on to Sydney, and other vessels in the same line will also go there. b LAUNCESTON. A payable alluvial gold-field has been discovered at Boobulla River off North-east Coast. . . The Northern Commissioners commence shipping exhibits to Sydney next week.