ANOTHER ARREST REPORTED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2662, 22 March 1905, Page 30

ANOTHER ARREST REPORTED.

Monday.

Searching inquiries in connection with the avrest of Constables M 'Donald and Moses and the suspension of three other constables on suspicion of connection with alleged theft of goods from the premises of the D.I.C. and other city firms are still being conducted by the police authorities. Commissioner Dinnie arrived in Dunedin by the second express from the north on Saturday, having come straight through from Wellington, and he was engaged on the matter on Saturday night and on Sunday with Inspector O'Br.en. All sorts of rumours are, of course, current in the city regarding the suspension of the three men, and several well-known business men are mentioned as having been called in to identify certain goods, but the inspector, when approached, declined to give any information, even of the reported arrest. It is however known, despite the reticence of the authorities, that a constable was recalled from relieving duty at a country station and stispended. A very considerable quantity of goods which did not come from the D.I.C. premises has been seized by the detectives. It is alleged that one of the men suspended was apprehended at 9 o'clock on Saturday night and charged with the theft of two packets of envelopes and two packages of writing paper, and also with receiving other goods. When asked if this were so Inspector O'Brien replied in a non-committal manner, saying he was not aware of it, and it was quite evident from the replies of other police j officials that they had received strict instruc-

tions to preserve secrecy. It is alleged that some fairly sensational evidence will be tendered at the forthcoming trial, and probably reference may be made to the finding of a ring of some 25 or 30 skeleton keys which, however, would be of little use except to open padlocks. While on the subject of keys it may Be of interest to mention the fact that a false key fitting the front door of a wholesale warehouse in Hig-h =ireei nas found behincJ some rolls o-f material in one of the warehouse fixtures some time asjo, and the door was discovered to be unlocked.