ROBBERS' VICTIM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21315, 17 October 1932, Page 9

ROBBERS' VICTIM

BLINDED BY AMMONIA SYDNEY HOLD-UP SEQUEL SYDNEY, Oct. IS Mr. Alfred Johnson,, who had ammonia thrown in his face in a hold-up on September 29, has become totally blind. Doctors have striven to save his sight, but the powerful chemical injured both hii eyes. The crime referred to in the cablegram was committed in one of the main streets of Sydney on September 29. A postmaster, Mr. Francis Seckold, who has charge of the "William Street Post Office, was carry- ' ing a bag containing £530 to a neighbouring office for the payment of old aga and invalid pensions when thieves secured the money by what apparently was a carefully arranged coup. Mr. Seckold was accompanied by an assistant, Mr. Alfred Johnson, who was armed. When they had gone 100 yards through the crowded thoroughfare, two men dressed in overalls, pretending to be working as cleaners, threw the contents of a bucket of liquid in the two postal officials' faces. Blinded and phoking, apparently from fumes of some sort, Mr. Johnson was knocked down and disarmed. Then Mr. Seckold was felled to the ground and his bag was seized. The attackers then ran away. The man carrying the stolen bag collided with a motor-car and fell to the ground. He recovered himself, however, and eluded pursuers in the hurrying traffic. He rushed through a shop iujto a near by street and escaped in a car 'which was waiting in readiness. A similar robbery took place last December when the same officials were held up and pepper was thrown in their faces. On that occasion £9OO was taken after a shot had been fired at Mr. Seckold. The robbers escaped and were never captured.