GOLD ESCORTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2202, 14 May 1896, Page 19

GOLD ESCORTS.

TO THB EDITOR. Bek,— ln the last issue of " The Insurance, Mining, and Finance Journal," voder the heading of " Late Hours," attention is- c&lled to. tbe way that bank official* are worked. The evil complained of is only too true, and is worie on the goldfields than in the towns. The bank authorities would do veil to look into matters

" "'" "- ' -y* and pat the basinets on a better footing, and trhilat doing to they would aot wisely if they also inquired into the present system of gold baying. A ca*e in point here last Saturday strikingly illustrates the danger attending the purchase of gold. Mr Gadgeon, the popnlav agenfc of tho Bank of Nsw Zealand, rode out to Arthur's Point ta bring in some gold purchased from the Se< Hoy Company. All irenfc well until he goi halfway back on tfie return trip, when he war unfortunately thrown from his horse and stunned, and it is doubtful if he has not had eorae of his ribs broken. This occurred in a lonc-Jy part cf tbe road, at about 8 or 9 o'olock at night, aud Mr Gudgeon w»s alone. Strange to «*y he met wi'ha «omewh»t similar accident some years ago near Hayes Lake, when, being alone and in charge of coin, he wm thrown from his horse, and was not discovered until next morning, still insensible. A few yaara back the Sew Hoy Company were robbed of a large quantity of gold at Arthur's Point, and from that date until now no trace of the robbers hai ever bson discovered. Why a bank ©moor should be required to travel with gold along such a road as the Arthur** Foint-Qae-matown one after dark without an escort passes one's comprehension. The authorities cannot surely know the risk run or they would not permit the present* atata of (iffoirs to continue. They could at any rate iusish upon the gold being brought to the bank in d*yligh.b. It's a little too much to work a m»n long hour* and far into the night, nearly all the week, and then when he expects to get his Saturday half-holiday to find that he h«i to take a trip that may iuvolvo the loss of his life or billet. The whola »ystem wants revising.— I am, &0., May 5, Observer.