MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY IN A BANK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 810, 9 September 1887, Page 29

MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY IN A BANK.

With regard to a mysterious robbery in the Commercial Bank, Melbourne, which in the surrounding circumstances somewhat resembles the one committed a few months ago at the Colonial Bank, Eliza-heth-street, Melbourne, where a farmer named William Sykes lost L9OO, the Age gives the following particulars:—“At about ten minutes to 3 o’clock a lad named Y iliiam Sowden, who is employed as a clerk by Mr R. McGeorge Turner, a broker on the Exchange, was given by the latter two sums, £717 7s 6d and £289 10s, to pay into the Commercial Bank. He was also handed by his employer a letter, which he was told ho must post before 3 o’clock, to be in time for the Adelaide mail. Hastening first to tlie bank, which was full of customers, about twenty persons standing before the counter, Sowden pushed his way forward among the crowd, and placed the money representing the two sums mentioned in an open book in front of the teller, whom he knew well, at the same moment asking him to mind the money for a few seconds while he went to the Post Office. Sowden states that the two sums were entered in the book, and also were described on two pay-slips, which were lying on the top of the notes and cheques. He is confident that the teller noticed his action, and heard him, as, after glancing at the money and the hook within his reach, he replied, “All right.” The latter, who was exceedingly busy receiving deposits from customers, does not remember using the words attributed to him. Sowden, who is about seventeen years of age, thinking the money was in safe keeping, ran out of the bank to post tlie Adelaide letter, leaving his deposit on the counter, On his return to the hank in about five or six minutes, and inquiring: for Ids book and receipt, he was startled, to hear that the parcel of notes and cheques amounting to £717 7s 6d, had not reached the teller’s hands, hut had been abstracted from the counter. The bank official said he had not checked the amount nor seen the cash The sum of £289 10s was found all right in the open hook, and was duly lodged to Mr Turner’s credit, but the larger sum had altogether vanished. Search was vainly made for the missing money, which it is supposed was appropriated by some one standing at the counter. An investigation has been made, with no other result, so far, than a conviction that the lad, who is thoroughly trustworthy, acted indiscreetly, and advantage was taken of his imprudent act by a clever thief, who has got off with his plunder.”