NO MYSTERY NOW

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 126, 24 November 1933, Page 8

NO MYSTERY NOW

THE FAMOUS CYLINDER

EXTRAORDINARY STRUCTURE

FOR ILLEGAL USE

Concerning the mysterious cylinder recently returned from Australia, it was ascertained today that no silver coin was found in the cylinder, but nevertheless it was of considerable interest to the authorities, as it is evident from the photograph published in this issue that it was being forwarded between New Zealand and Australia for purposes for which it was not originally constructed, viz., as a container for gas. The bottom of the cylinder had been cut oft and a screw cap fitted to allow of the in--1 sertion of a tin cylinder with wide flanges, enabling it to be used for illegal exportation of coin, and perhaps also for illegal importation. • The first public intimation of the iexistence of this interesting exhibit ,was made in "The Post" on November 11, when it was reported that the Marama had been delayed while a search was made for it, as it was supposed to contain coin. The authorities were thus shown to have had their suspicions about gas cylinders that t were not going through regular channels. As this one ha,d been heavily covered by cargo, arrangements were made to have it kept on board, and it was brought back by the Marama, landed at Auckland, and brought back to Wellington with ample precautions against interference. The "faked" cylinder is of a type which is quite commonly shipped backwards and forwards between the gas manufacturers and consumers. It is apparent from the nature of the internal fittings of the cylinder that the whole device is ingeniously adapted for the carriage of coins, packed in rolls between the flanges, and that a very large value in silver coin can be disposed in the available space. These gas cylinders are heavy and awkward, and unless those handling them are suspicious they might easily overlook even a large additional weight, - A simple way of ascertaining whether a_ gas cylinder contains irregular material is to open the neck by unscrewing the cap and putting a rod in; but the fittings are plainly designed to defeat this sort ,of investigation, because the large central tube, open at both ends, would delude the investigator. Gas cylinders, being designed to withstand great pressures, are made in one piece except for the foot (shown detached in the photograph) and the neck fitting, and a separate lower end is unlikely to be suspected. In this example the false end was very neatly fitted and the joint was concealed by the foot. When the cylinder was opened here there was nothing in it (apart from the sheet metal structure) except some sand, which may have been used as packing to take up spare space. There is no direct evidence that it contained coin when it left Wellington by the Marama. It does not seem to have left the ship in Sydney, so that if it ■was "loaded," the emptying of it must nave been a rather risky business. It may have made both trips empty, but there seems little reason for the consignment' of an empty container in the wrong direction. It is probable that the smuggling of silver coin out of New Zealand will soon cease. There is profit only in Imperial coins, and these will soon be rapidly taken out of circulation and replaced by the Dominion coinage.