CAPTURE OF TWO OF THE SUPPOSED CULPRITS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1906, 21 August 1890, Page 30

CAPTURE OF TWO OF THE SUPPOSED CULPRITS.

It is with satisfaction that we have to record the arrest, by Deteotives Henderson and M'Grath, of two of the men who are supposed to be implicated. The robbery appeaw

to have been a very deeply planned affair from beginning to end, and to have been put into tffect only after those con1 cerned had fully and well considered the various steps they should take. After the occurrence of the robbery Mr Smith at once put himself into communication with the police authorities, and Inspector Moore set Chief-detective Henderson and Detective M'Grath to work on the very slender evidence which was before them. They persevered in their task in a manner which refleots the [ greatest credit on them, and their assiduity has I been so great that they have worked night and day and enjoyed but few hours' sleep since they were put on the track. Their inquiries were carried on with diligence all through, and success has so far crowned their unflagging | efforts within this short time of the occurrence that they have as mentioned above, succeeded in arresting two men on suspicion of being implicated, although one of the supposed gang is still at large. One of the men in custody was arrested at 5 o'clock on Saturday night in his lodgings in St. Andrew street, near Filleul street, and gave the name of Wilson. He has been identified by Mr Smith, jun., as a man who had been in the bank for change several ti mes previous to the robbery. The o fcher | man, who gave the namo of Remington, was arrested at his lodgings in Cumberland street. Mr Smith, manager of the bank, states that Remington is the man who knocked at the side door and engaged him in conversation about the I premises. The man who entered the front office and took the cashbox is still at liberty. Very little is known of the men by the police here. They arrived from Melbourne by the Monowai on the 23rd of last month, and made frequent visits to, the bank ostensibly for change. During these visits they could not fail to notice two points — that the cashbo ; was genererally kept in the counter desk, and that between 12 and 1 o'clock Mr Smith was alone in the bank, and that therefore if he was ont of the front office it was left totally unguarded. Remington has also been identified as a man who was often noticed stationed near a window in the Telegraph Office, from which a view of the bank could be obtained, and whence notes of the movements of the employes could be made if that were his object. It appears to have been a desideratum in their case, supposing them to be confederates, to be known as strangers to one another, Their movements, as watched by the eagle eye of the police, have shown this, and also their dealings at various pawnbrokers' shops in town. Another point they made was that they should npt reside together, and the manner in which they secured this end is worthy of note, inasmuch as the course allowed them to take separate rooms in unpretentious dwellings of three or four rooms in different parts of the town. In searching for offenders against the law, a small house of this kind would be one of the last places the police would think of visiting, the idea such a place would suggest to them being that it was occupied by a family only, and not by any of the light-fingered gentry for whom they were on the outlook. Several pawnbrokers in town have made the acquaintance of the men lately through business, diamond rings and gold watches being the principal articles that were pawned, and on them a considerable sum of money was raised. It is a very significant fact that the pledges were all redeemed within one hour after the robbery. The men in custody have been recognised by one or two pawnbrokers as men who pawned articles such as are named above. The story of the manner in whioh the arrests were made is interesting and also somewhat amusing. The landladies in both cases were very much shocked to hear that anyone could possibly have the least suspicion of their "young gentlemen" being concerned in the robbery. The police were not to be outdone, however, and in each case the good lady, having her sentiments modified after a short conversation with the detectives, stood to one Bide, and afforded every facility to the police. Detectives Henderson and M'Grath visited Wilson's abode about 5 p.m. on Saturday, and arrested him, landing him shortly afterwards in the Maclaggan street station. They went to Cumberland street next, ezpeeting to find Remington at home, but they were disappointed, as he was out. They waited an hour, and their ears were then gladdened with the sound of the approaching footsteps of one they took to be their quarry. They were not disappointed. As soon as he set foot in his room the detectives were on him, and the look of surprise which at once possessed his faoe showed that an event had happened which he had not been counting on, and one which he would rather have had postponed indefinitely. He was soon located in close quarters to his companion. His goods and chattels were seized and removed to the police station. Among them was a large leather portmanteau, similar to one found in Wilson's room. Both portmanteaux were destitute of labels, and not a scrap of writing could be found in the possession of either of them. A most extensive and varied wardrobe accompanied each portmanteau, suits of all qualities and of many styles being present, while there were bats in abundance, ranging from belltoppers to a seaman's round cap. A small black hand bag was also contained amongst their paraphernalia; It is supposed that they oarried this to give themselves the appearance of a professional man or a | Btudenr, j The man who is still '• wanted," the one who made off with the cash box, is believed to have a quiet corner in town similarly situated to that of his supposed accomplices. He ia about 27 j years of age, about sft lOin in height, active, of gentlemanly appearance, probably now clean Bbfcv<-1, and fair complexioned. It is said that he is in company with a female. It i 8 almost impossible to speak too highly of the police for the exertions they have made in this case. lospector Moore has throughout directed the efforts of the detectives, who have .carried out bis instructions in a most praiseworthy manner. It has been one of the hardest tasks yet entrusted to them, but from the first Btep they pursued their way with- unrelenting energy, and it was purely through their own exertions, and not on account of " information received " that they were enabled on Saturday to ' bring matters so far to a head. One step they took was to so arrange matters that it was impossible for any suspects to leave Dunedin either by coach, train, or steamer— in fact to " boycott " all nondescripts or suspicious looking persons. This system will still be pursued, so that it is almost an impossibility for the actual thief to escape. POLICE COURT PROCEEDINGS, There was a very large attendance at the City Police Court on Monday morning when James Henry Wilson and Frederick KetringtQn. alias W. Miller, were charged before Messrs J. B. Thomson and Colin Allan, J.P's., with stealing on the I3th mat., at Uunedin, about £91, the property of the trustees of the Dunedin Savings Bank. Mr Solomon appeared for Kemmington, ana Mr Hanlon for Wilson. . luspeofcor Moore said the acoujed wore only arrested on Saturday nigkt by Deteotive* Henderson and M'Grath. They were identified by bank officials and several others, but in order to produce the necessary evidence he would have fa aj k for a remand UD Mr Solomon stated that be would not object) to*

remand until Thureday, but he had to appear at an inquiry at the hospital on that day, and would probably have to ask for a further remand. Inspector Moore observed that the police would have no objection to that, and Mr Uanlon also offered no objection. Mr Solomon then called the attention of the bench to an article appearing In thab morning't Dally Times referring to the present caie, and said that fortunately In Dunedin acoused pontons were in the habit of receiving the most perfect fairness both from the police and the press, but he did not think he should be doln* bis duty if be did not call attention to the very unfair artlole appearing in the paper that morning. The objeofc of his remarks was that there should not be a repetition of such a thing. The aooused were charged with a very serious crime Indeed— a crime whloh, If sheeted home to them, would meet with very serious punishment ; but the law presumed every man to be innocent until he was found to be guilty. He, however, had an artlole in his hand whioh not ouly referred to facts which might or might not be true, bub was really an advooate's article on behalf of the police against the accused persons. It did not require any words of his to show the unfairness of the artjole in question, and he took th« present opportunity of referring to it, so that it might not appear in other papers. It was highly desirable that the aocused should have a fair trial, and he did not think he should be doing his duty if he did not do his best to endeavour to obtain it. The accused were then remanded until Thursday.