VICTORIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1449, 30 August 1879, Page 9

VICTORIA.

The robbery at the Commercial Bank, Lancefield, was first attributed to the Kelly gang, and afterwards wrongly believed to b» the act of two men, escaped prisoners from the Sandridge batteries. One of tha robbers entered the Bank soon after it opened at 1 o'clock, went to the countsr fumbling with a pocket-book, and poon gave a signal to his comrade, who presented a revolver at the head of Morrison, the accountant, telling him to throw up his hands, as the Kellys were there. Morrison was then gagged, while the ruffians took L 766 out of the till and LllO out of ft t ate. In reply to question*, Morrison stated that was all the money in the Bank, though there was about L3OOO more, which tha robbers overlooked. The robbeis were about to retire when Mu*.ty, a butcher, entered the Bank. One man presented a pistol and ordered him to "biil up." Thinking thty were joking ha. twice refusod, but realising the situation com* p^iad, and was locked up in the manager** room. He had L2OO in his pocket, but tlw robbera forgot to Boarch him. They then ordered Morrison to give no alarm for half an hour, and quietly loft the Bank and walked out of the village, proceeding in_ the direction of Woodend. A few minutes after Morrison released himself' and gave the alarm. The manager, with four men, was in the garden at the back of the Bank jvli tha time of the robbery, aud was incredulous when he first received Morrison's intelliganca. The polica and the Queensland trackers followed, up the trail of the two men nearly to Heathcofce. Late on Monday night, the 18fch iust., two men, clearly identical with the robbeip, were arrested at Sandhurst. They h.id reached the city on the previous Saturday, anl purchased new suits of clothes, hair dye, carpet-b&gs, &c, paying for the same in a manner calculated to excite suspicion. Samuel Lowe, the elder man, was identified as a ruffian who committed a murderous a^aulfc on an Italian almost a fortnight ago, aud had Bince taken to the hush to escape capture. He has , already eerved a sentence of five years for highway robhery. L 450 were found on his parson. Charles Bray, tbe other robber, i 8 unknown to the police. L2GO were recnverud from him. Both m«n wera suffering from drink when captured. Mr Gordon, chief ongineer of the Victorian water supply, who was dibmisfwd on "Black Wednesday," has petitioned , the Queen, whodeclines to interfere. It hua t.rauspired thatthe Government, while coatendiag that Gordon ia legally eufcitled to only L5Bl compensation, offered him L 1440 on con-iih'oa that he withdrew his petitim to the Queen. It has trampnvd respecting tha scheme for a Colonial JMusoum, that Weatorn Australia 13 willing to contribute, and New South Walea also is willing, provided the other Colonies join. Souch Australia and Quaendand are prepared to consider tha matter if the Home Government initiates it. Tasmania declines. New Zealand ha« forwarded noreoly., Victoria considers it inadvisable to contribute at present. Dr Forbes Watson is now addressing^ Sir Michael Hicka-Beach, asking him to take the initiative. ' ' An impression prevails the Government are willing to greatly modify the tariff proposal*, if their, tmppercerrf affirm their protective policy by agreeing to the first item subinittad. m ( Several hitherto faitiful supporters are dhowing meat discontent, especially in Ijhe Ministerial corner. ' ' , " The final deposit of shakes has been made for 1 the sculling' match, Hearne v. Messenger, for the championship of Victoria and Lso. ' The betting ie six to foiir on MesaeHger. The enrolled scholars at the State schools - last year numbered 231,002 ; the average attend • < dance was Ut>,a99. Tho Protestant clorgy of Melbourne intend' to ask the Government lo modify the Education Act so as to admit of the Bible being taught in the State schools by teachers. > Tie Age asserts that the Eastsrn Extension^ Telegraph Company insistsd on charging old rates for Press messages up to July 4 th, althoughthe reductioa , should hare taken effect in May lost. Carlofcta Patti is expected to arrive in Melbourne in February with a good company. Professor Pearson sailed for Melbourne on July 3rd. The A. S.N. steamer Wodonga caught fire at Sandridge per. The saloon was damaged totbe extent of L7OO.