BASING BOBBERIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18763, 17 July 1924, Page 12

BASING BOBBERIES.

FOOTPADS WITH REVOLVERS. OUTRAGES IN MELBOURNE. POLICE ADVISE PUBLIC TO ARM. [FROM OT3I OWN CORBESPOU IUKT.] SYDNEY. July 10. Melbourne no longer holds up her head as the model of law-abiding and exemplary respectability among the cities of Australia. Her reputation, what with the police mutiny and the horrible excesses which accompanied it, the tram strike and other sensations, has suffered grievously, and now comes an extraordinary series of "hold-ups" of well-known men in good-class suburbs by armed and masked footpads, who by ■ threats and garrotting relieve their victims .. of .all their valuables. The first outrage of the kind during the present series occurred a week or two ago, when four or five men entered a building where a suburban party had gathered for cards, and at the point of revolvers seized hundreds of pounds and a quantity of jewellery. The next phase •was at the week-end, when several residents, walking alone at night, Were suddenly accosted by an armed man with a revolver and almost simultaneously seized from behind, the tactics followed in each case being almost- identical. One of the victims was the Secretary for the Navy, Mr. C, L. Macandie. Although Mr. Macandie is a strohg and well-built man, standing about 6ft., his athletic qualities in such circumstances could avail him nothing, for discretion was the better part of valour, and he was luckily carrying only about £5 at the time. Important letters that he had left his home in order to post were not interfered ' with.

Warning to Citizens. The ..publication of the details in the morning papers led to Mr. Macandie being subjected to much chaffing at the Navy Office on Monday. The first thing that greeted him on arrival was a-large representation of skull and crossbones adorning his desk, together with a design of a revolver set out in paper bearing in black "£5" and a money-lender's advertisement offering loans on enticing terms. All day admirals, officials, military officers and politicians were dropping in to hoar first-hand details of the, affair from him and make facetious offers of

temporary financial accommodation and so on. But while the affair may have its amusing sides it is viewed very seriously, for a veritable reign of terror has been brought about in the suburbs. The Commissioner of Police has warned citizens that it is extremely dangerous to be alone in the streets at night. To those who must bo abroad direct advice is given that they should carry a loaded stick or firearms. ■ . .. Mr. G. M. Manley, clerk at the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, one of the victims, says there were three men, and they worked so silently that it was only the man who first accosted him that ha hfeard speak or actually saw. "When ho first came toward me," said Mr. Manley, "I thought that there was only one. He called out something, and I stopped. Then he came close up, and I saw that 'fie had a revolver in his hands and that his face was partly covered. When I realised that it was not a joke I thought I would give him a go for it. He was holding his revolver in such a way that I could have knocked it out of his grasp with ; my olbow. Just as I was about to call out, however, someone passed his arms around my neck from behind, and my arms were pinioned in a grip that hurt. I was absolutely powerless to resist, and when I struggled slightly my head was twisted and the grip on my throat was tightened. They simply held me and helped themselves to my belongings." .

Two Other Victims. ' On his release Mr. Manley promptly rang the police. No sooner had tb,e ! police received the mesace than a message came through from West St. Kilda that another crime of a Bimilar nature had been carried out there. Mr. H. thews, an engineer, was on his way to the St. Kilda railway station, -when there was a rush of men behind him, and he found himself embraced tightly. A revolver was pressed to bis ribs. His pockets •wore then rifled, and ail his money taken. This amounted to £11 10s in notes and silver. • His watch and chain were also te The last victim was Mr. H. J. Roberts, of Gipps Street, East Melbourne. He was robbed at Parkville. He was driving a car along Royal Parade when three men hailed him from the footpath. Roberts; thinking that they were vyinting a lift, stopped the car. He was immediately confronted with a revolver. The booty was small. The thieves obtained only a watch and chain. One of them, it is alleged, struck Mr. Roberts a blow. _ i There is some discussion as to whether the footpads used a motor-car. Of the five victims Mr. Macandie is the only one who actually heard a motor-car start a few minutes after the desperadoes had ordered him to return the way which he had como without looking back on pain of death. It is believed that the men are in possession of a fast motor-car, which they leave in a lane near to where they intend to operate, and after watching their victim out of sight make a dash for it, probably having one of the gang ready at the wheel in case of emergency., ■ >