A ROMANTIC OF CRIME.

Evening Star, Issue 4968, 4 February 1879, Page 3

A ROMANTIC OF CRIME.

Nearly a 'quarter of a century ago Melbourne was startled by a mysterious robbery from one of the principal banks. A very large sum of .'money disappeared, no one could say how. The Melbourne detectives at that time were celebrated for the acutenesß, but .in this case they were utterly baffled. There was in the bauk a highly respected and much trusted clerk, whom wo shall call Mr Smoothfacc. This gentleman was suspected by the detectives, and, though much against the will of the bank authorities, he was arrested. Every effort was made by the detectives to sheet the robbery home to him, for if successful they would gain great prestige. They wee, however, completely frustrated in theiv attempt. Nothing tangible could be adduced against Mr Smoothface, and he was set free. The detectives still believed him guilty and secretly kept a close watch over his every, movement, but with no result. Two years after tho commission of the crime there was', a large sale of city allotments in Melbourne. The shrewdest detective in Victoria happened to be present, looking out for a man who was " wanted "by the police. He saw a moneylender there whose reputation was rather " shady." This man bought a valuable section of land, and paid for it in LIOO notes. The detective thought it strange that so many very- large notes should be in the possession of this man. He at once called to mirkl the bank robbery. He had in his pocket-book the numbers of all the notta stolen on that occasion. He informed the auctioneer that he had suspicions, and was allowed to examine the notes paid by the money-lender;, These notes corresponded exactly with some of those stolen from the bank. The money-lender was at once arrested. He said that he had purchased these Lltt&nptes from a man, giving LSO for each of tn#£. This was a fatal admission. He was convicted of receiving property knowing itttf be stolen, and wan sentenced to two y eare' penal servitude. Mr Smoothface started business ink one of the 'suburbs of Melbourne, apd' .prospered for some years. He had hj brother in Queensland, who -wrote to him urgtfygdiim to buy sjme property there. Mr Smoothface consented, and requested his brotherito make tho purchase on his behalf. Herforwarded the money for this purpose not by bank draft, but in notes, which were concare of a friend wjio was going to Queensla nd. The brother took these Victorian notes tola Queensland bank to get them exchangcd\f or Queensland notes. The teller was surpnaedVit the largeness of the notes. It was a thing unexampled in his experience to see so many Victorian LIOO-notes in Queensland. The manager was consulted. He remembered him of tho [notorious robbery which had been perpetrate* in Melbourne years before. ..The numbers efj the notes stolen on that occasion had been setat to the banks all through Australasia. He torned up th« record and found that the notes juij t brought in tallied with some of those which had been stolen. Smoothface's brothej* h.id to account for how lie became possessed of them. The Victorian police were ajipriscd of the discovery. The detectives came upon Smoothface before the letter Sent by his brother to warn him of his danger had reached him. His house was searched, and the whole of the notes not yet accounted for were found hidden there. Smoothface wafc tried, convicted, and sentenced ,to seven years' hard labor. After coming-out of prison he left for New Zealand. He gradually rose to a comfortable position, and carried on business in various towns in this Colony. He conducted himself aa a strictly honest man, and was much re- j Bpected. v ln the course of years he met with I severe reverses, and wa3 reduced to ! poverty. < A considerable time ago he came ! to the Hhen Province of Wellington. His hard circumstances preyed upon his mind. He took.Ho drinking. His old spirit of wickedness took hold of him. He transgressed th;e law, was detected, brought before the R':M. Court in Wellington, and committed for .trial. In due course he was convicted at the criminal sittings of the Supreme Court, and sentenced to a term of imprisonment. That term is still unexpired : Smootb- &£« is still a denizen in Wellington jpwl.— ' ('\\v4m\t\e.'"