CHRISTCHURCH SENSATION

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 74, 20 December 1929, Page 8

CHRISTCHURCH SENSATION

ARREST OF THE GRAY BROTHERS FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED ARRESTING CONSTABLE HERO OF THE HOUR Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, December 19. Further sensational developments in connection with the arrest of the Gray brothers in Manchester Street yesterday are expected. To-day’s investigations by the detectives have brought to light fresh evidence which should be helpful in clearing up. not only the * epidemic of incendiarism but other serious crimes and possibly the Hammond shooting case. Mr. Edward Hammond, the principal of Messrs. Hammond and Turner, who was shot by a burglar when he surprised the intruder in his business premises in Oxford Terrace, was seen by detectives to-day. It Is probable that Mr. Hammond will be asked to attend an identification parade during the holiday period. Suspects’ Home Searched. Yesterday a search was made of the suspects’ home in Antigua Street, the detectives remaining there some time. This morning Acting-Detective Halcrow again visiting the house and took possession of a hacksaw. This will figure as one of the main exhibits when the accused men appear for trial. A hacksaw has played a prominent part in more than one of the more serious crimes that have been committed in Christchurch during the past few months. In the case of the Dobson garage, which was twice set alight, it was found on the second occasion that the lock on the door of the petrol store had been sawn through with a hacksaw. Strangely enough, a hacksaw was used when the thieves gained entrance to Hammond and Turner’s premises. It will be remembered that Mr. M. E. Halligan, proprietor of the garage at the rear of Mr. Hammond’s place, informed a reporter after that attempt that, in his opinion, two men were concerned. The revolver which, it was stated, was found on one of the youths at the time of his arrest, was an old German weapon. It is believed to be a specimen which had been on exhibition at the Christchurch Museum. Daring Men.

The daring of the perpetrators of the recent burglaries is emphasised in a discovery which was made yesterday by Mr. W H Tisdall, of the well-known sporting goods firm, in Cashel Street. The sawn-off .44 calibre rifle which was found in the possession of one or the youths yesterday morning has been identified as one of the rifles which were taken from his shop during the last two weeks. The police have in their possession another rifle similarly sawn off. It was found this morning that both rifles had been sawn off on Mr. Tisdall s premises. The remaining pieces of each barrel were found in Mr. Tisdall s back yard. The job was not cleanly done, and Mr. Tisdall stated that roughly cut as the rifles were they would make most deadly weapons. Nearly fifty rounds of high-powered soft-nosed ammunition were also found in the possession of the suspects. Arresting Constable Hero of the Hour. Constable Albert . Gillum, who brought off the sensational arrest of the fwo suspects 'yesterday morning, is the hero of the hour. Yesterday and to-day he has been busy receiving telegrams of congratulation from friends in and out of the police force all over the Dominion. Last evening a remarkable demonstration in which he was the central figure occurred outside the Civic Theatre. Constable Gillum was passing the theatre just as the crowd was leaving the Civic. Some friends recognised him, and in a moment he was surroupded by an enthusiastic crowd, who'eneered him and wrung his hand. Tall and of fine physique, Constable Gillum is a native of Christchurch. If Constable Gillum’s capture leads to the clearing*up of the “fire-bug” cases ho will be entitled to the reward of £250 offered some time ago by the insurance companies. Payment of the reward is of course subject to the consent and. approval of the Commissioner of Police. COMMISSIONER’S TRIBUTE TO CONSTABLE GILLUM “FAR-REACHING EFFECT” OF ARRESTS The Commissioner of Police (Mr. W. B. Mcllveney) told a “Dominion” reporter last night that he was indeed proud to have Constable Albert Gillum as a member of the force. Gillum, who has only been in the force for twelve months, belongs to the Wellington station, and he was only lent to Christchurch during the crime wave there. He was one of the three men taken south by the Commissioner when Mr. Mcllveney took charge at the outset of the outbreak of fires. Mr. Mcllveney said that Gillum had made two first-class arrests since he had joined the force, and as the captures were exceptionally smart ones, the Commissioner felt justified in having a mark of merit placed upon the young constable's sheet. “I will take fine care,” said the Commissioner. “that Gillum is substantially rewarded for this capture. I feel now that all the fire worries are at an end." Gillum is awne type of a young New Zealander, and is a very keen and efficient officer.

Mr. Mcllveney added that constables had made four arrests with far-reaching effect in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch. and Dunedin, in the last few months.

RECENT SERIES OF SAFE ROBBERIES ARREST MADE IN DUNEDIN Police headquarters at Wellington reported last night that Robert Cockburn, who until recently was engaged in mining on the West Const, was arrested in Dunedin yesterday afternoon on five charges <>f safe-blowing at Christchurch and six charges of safe-blowing at Dunedin.