THE ROBBERY OF GOLD FROM THE AVOCA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 268, 19 November 1878, Page 4

THE ROBBERY OF GOLD FROM THE AVOCA.

In August, 1877» a box containing 5000 sovereigns ftas robbed of its contents, either on board tho R.M.S. China or tbe R.M.S. Avocd*. 'ihe loea was first discovered toh the arrival of the Chitta at Galle, but so cleverly had the abstraction been carried out that it appeared extremely improbable that the robbers would be discovered. The boxes containing the sovereigns waa shipped at Sydney) with other boxea containing spteie*, and theae boxes were transshipped into tho China at Melbourne * but those in charge of the transshipment could not BatUfacfc torily prove that tbe boxefe ftfe're placed on board of the ChVofl. Inquiries ma<le by thoen ekpert officers, Inspector Secrelan and Detective Mackay, led them to believe that the otfeuce was perpe* trated on board the Avoca before she arrived in Melbourne, and that it was ibe work of one or' more of the ship's officers. Unfortunately tbey*w_re tillable to got ony direct cllie, nn_ no: motter whom they, euspeeted, they were unable to move in the matter ; neverihel.eeß, (hey continued iheir vigilance, and took especial care not to lode sight of one man whom th_> had reason to euspecU Thi, pereon was Wiberg who, at the time of the robbery, was' WloyM on the Avoca as a ship's carpenter. Wiberg, B ome three months; after the robbery, left,, tho veaae), and took up _.a selection on the river Tarwin at S-Uth i-tjippslahdi'.'AbouV ten days^ ago the offio.er.9 above, mentioned ceetfefi to lhe place^ttd nrj-ested him on! the charge itf being ooucerne j ■in thei roVbery. In hia. hut were'lound some sovereigns concealed in a large carpeuter's plane, inthe end of whioh a holehad been bored to the depth of about two feet. A piece of wood was very neatlv fitted into the end of the, hole, and on this being removed abbut _00 sovereigns dropped out. In all about 400 sovereigns were recovered. The detectives are in possession of .Batisfao tory evidence oth.r tban (he disbovery: of the fcovereigns to prove the guilt of Wiberg. Sufficient is know.n to justify the Btateinent that Wiberg gained! accefia to the box containing the sovereigns between Melbourne aod Sidney, and, having r_rorjved thesovereignp, he filled the box with lead, and landed the stolen' (reusiire at Williamstown. Wheni iu the ;lock-up at Giiflitbs' Point, Wiberg^madea confession in which he implicates one Elltsibh, a chief officerj ■9 f :\h* 6 V I P oow inTEngliind, who, l?e, says, was pr.ivy ;to tbe robberyi Just! .prion toulhe robbely Wiberg rdp.rried a housemaid erhployed at Fdnseca'Sj %*__totel, iWilliemstown. He 'appears! to be a man of coneideralble energy, and besides being an excellent ship.earpen'ter, ia well up in navigation and'seamanship, as ie evidenced .by : t.he ..fact that, after his d'jaqharge from the t Avoca ho procured a large open boat, i put his tool-box on board of her, and,; having supplied himself withprovi-ions, j set sail by^himaelf, end in his frail boat! passed* through -'th -**•■'■• H.ade^eteerdd nn! easterly course, actually doubled Wii-j •son's ProraoQtory, and safely urriv_*_' at the mquth ,.of the Tarw/n River.