BIG GOLD ROBBERY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 261, 8 November 1906, Page 5

BIG GOLD ROBBERY.

NAVUA'S SAFE OPENED.

fiIOOO STOLEN.

When the Union Company's island trader Navua had been passed by" the medical officer yesterday afternoon, it was noticed that she still remained at her anchorage, and speculation ran high round the wharves, especially when it was observed that the manager of the company (Mr. A. B. J. Irvine), accompanied by two police officers, was proceeding out to the steamer in a launch. From subsequent inquiries it was ascertained that a big gold robbery had been perpetrated on board the steamer, and f 1000 in hard cash stolen from the safe in the purser's office.

On the arrival of the party on board the Navua they were met on the gangway by the captain and purser of the ship, and then adjourned to the upper deck, where an inquiry lasting for upwards of an hour was held, after which the steamer proceeded up to the wharf, berthing shortly after six o"clock. THE OFFICERS RETICENT. The robbery was committed on the voyage from Sydney to Fiji, but was not discovered until the vessel had visited one or two of the ports of call in the Fiji group, when the safe was opened for thciirst time since the commencement of the voyage. The purser immediately communicated with the captain, who then seems to have issued instructions that the robbery was not to be reported except to the officials at Auckland, for even the passengers weer not aware of what had occurred when the boat arrived here, several of them stating to a "Star" roporter that they were at a loss to understand the reason why the boat had been detained in the stream. Our representative also approached several of the ship's officers, who stated that they were unaware that anything unusual had happened during the trip. SAFE OPENED WITH A KEY. Owing to the reticence of the ship's officers particulars of the affair are somewhat meagre. It appears, however, that the safe was opened with a key, as it was locked and bore no marks of interference when the loss was discovered. The robbery was evidently well thought out, and was perpetrated hy someone who had made himself familiar with the safe, its surroundings, and the habits of the officer in charge. The purser's office is at the after end of the ship, and it was evidently possible to effect an entrance when that officer's duties took him to some other part of the boat. ANOTHER THOUSAND OVFLRJLOOKED. We understand that it is a practice for the island steamers to carry large sums of money for exchange purposes in the islands where there are no banks. This was also known to the thieves, who could have secured a much larger haul had not half of the £2000 which the safe contained been in bulky silver boxes, which were difficult to handle and secrete. When the safe was opened the thieves appropriated a box containing 1000 sovereigns, but left un touched lour hoxes containing a similar sum in silver. THE ESCAPE. After securing the gold they locked the safe and were thus enabled to cover up their tracks, for even when the vessel reached Suva the robbery had not been discovered. The work was either that of an expert or someone familiar with the ship, and in any case it is safe to assume that the gold was got safely ashore at Suva, whence it could be taken to Australia, New Zealand or Vancouver by the regular traders calling there.