THE LATE ROBBERY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 7491, 1 June 1885, Page 2

THE LATE ROBBERY.

TWO MEN ARRESTED. ' SOME OF THE STOLEN PROPERTY FOUND. BURGLARS* TOOLS DISCOVERED. The police have at last obtained a clue to the late jswellery robbery, bat of course are reticent with information. Inspector Browne and the members of the detective staff are working late and early, arid availing themselves of all possible information. A great many suggestions have, been received from clairvoyantv thought-readers, bat they have not tended in any way to elucidate the mystery. Two ams s have tak n place—one In Lyttelton, and the other in Wellington—and some of the stolen property has bo-»n recovered. A report being current about town last night that one of the arrests bad taken place at the Ta Aro Hotel, > WUlis-stteet, opposite St. John’s Presbyterian Cbu-ch, and that a set of burglars' tools bad been discovered there, a member of our staff waited upon- Mr T. Smith, the landlord, who, in answer to inquiries, furnished the following Information :—3ome weeks ago, a young fellow, about 19 years of age, who gave bis name as Jack, but whose surname is understood to be Allendale, was engaged as waiter ; bub after a week had elapsed he was told that bis services would be dispensed with, as he.did not appear to take much interest in bis work. Previous to bis leaving a colored man, named William Davis, came to the hotel and applied for the billet. He had good refeiences, amongst oth rs from Mr E. Richardson, of the Empire Hotel, Christchurch. He was also employed lor about five years at the Rutland Hotel, Wanganui, which U one of the best conducted hotels ia the North Island.- Mr Smith did not, therefore, hesitate to engage him, and he remained at the botoltill his arrest yesterday. Before Al'endala left he tried to raise money on one of the watches, stating that he bod procured a situation at a draper's shop In Blenheim. Davis lent him a pound on a watch, and wore it openly—in fact, he offered to lend it to soma yoang fellow on Saturday night. Detectives McGrath and Campbell, having obtained some cine to the transaction, procteded to the To Aro Hotel yesterday and arrested Davis. They then made a search of the hotel, Mr Smith, the landlord, showing them over the premises both inside and outside, and aiding them in every possible way. In the room where Allendale slept they found a carpet bag with a leather strap round it, but wbieh was not locked. On searching it they discovered a keyhole saw and a gimblet, and under the mattress of the bed on which Allendale slept they , foand another saw. It is said that there was some jewellery in the bag, but our reporter did not ascertain whether such was the- ease. . Judging from the circumstance* which have come to light ao far, it is not improbable that Davis may be found to have no further connection with the robbery than the possession of one of the watches, and that Allendale may have been a mere tool in the hands of the principal robbers. It seems incredible that a person who could have planned and executed the robbery wonld have left the tools aboat in sach a careless manner. The bedroom is never locked, and there were two beds in it, which were always occupied. It is therefore not to bs wondered at that the detectives are reticent with information,' In all probability the principal offenders have yet to be discovered. A gold watch and chain, with greenstone pendant, was offered for sale at one of.the jeweller’s shops in Ta Aro on Saturday, and it Is said that Allendale had offered soma of the watches for sale in Lyttelton and Christchurch. It is said that Allendale has not been long In the Colony, and that be came oat by the Doric ; but he told so many different tales at the hotel that it is not easy to. say which is the correct version. - (united press association.) Ch aiSTCHOfiCH, May 31. . A man bas been arrested at Lyttelton on suspicion of being concerned in the Wellington jewellery robbery. At present it is deemed advisable not to pnblish particulars.