THE ROBBERY OF GOLD FROM THE AVOCA.

Evening Star, Issue 4894, 7 November 1878, Page 4

THE ROBBERY OF GOLD FROM THE AVOCA.

In August, 1877, a box containing 5,000 sovereigns was robbed of its contents, either on board the R.M.S. China or the R.M.S. s Avoca. The loss was first discovered on the arrival of the China at Galle, but so cleverly had the abstraction been carried out that it appeared extremely improbable that the robbers would be discovered. The box containing the sovereigns was shipped at Sydney with other boxes containing specie, and these boxes were transhipped into the China at Melbourne; but those in charge of the transhipment could not satisfactorily Erove that the -boxes were placed on oard of the_China. Inquiries made by those expert officer* Inspector Secretan and Detective Mackay led them to believe that the offence was perpetrated on board the Avoca before she arrived in Melbourne, and that it was the work of one or more of the ship’s officers. Unfortunately, they were unable to get any direct clue, and no matter whom they suspected they were unable to move in the matter; nevertheless, they continued their vigilance, and took especial care not to lose sight of one man whom they had reasons to suspect. This person was Wiberg, who, at the time of the robbery, was employed on the Avoca as a ship carpenter. Wiberg, some three months after the robbery, left the vessel and took up a selection on theRiver Tarwin, at South Gippsland. About ten days ago the officers above mentioned proceeded to his place and arrested him on a , charge of being concerned in the robbery. In his hut ■were found some sovereigns concealed .in a large carpenter’s plane, in the end of which a hole had been bored to a , depth of about two feet. A piece of wood was very neatly fitted into the end of the bole, and on this being removed about 200 sovereigns dropped out. In all about 400 sovereigns were recovered. The detectives are. in possession of satisfactory evidence other than that of the discovery of the sovereigns to prove the guilt of Wiberg. Sufficient is known to justify the statement that Wiberg gained access to the box containing the sovereigns between Melbourne and Sydney, and, having removed the sovereigns, he failed the place with lead, and landed the Stolen treasure at Williamstown. When in the Ipck-up at Griffiths’s Point Wiberg made a confession, in which he implicates one Elhston, a chief officer of the ship, now in Em?l an( h who, he says, was privy to the ‘ robbery. Just prior to the robbery Wioerg married a housemaid employed at Fonseca’s ■ Hotel, Williamstown. He appears to be a than of Considerable energy, and besides being an excellent ship carpenter is well up ,:m aavigation and seamanship, as is evidenced by the. fact that after, his discharge from the Avoca ho procured a large open i,; boat, put his tool-box on board of her, and, naving supplied himself with the necessary provisions, set sail by himself, and in his frail boat passed through the Heads, steered . ~s4 easterly course, actually doubled Wilson’s , ?i? c ! 5^ or y> anf l safely arrived at the mouth oithe Tarwin River,