THE LATE GOLD ROBBERY.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 345, 12 February 1861, Page 2

THE LATE GOLD ROBBERY.

POLICE CO URT. f Before J. ?oynti:h. Resident Magistrate, Wji. Wells . It. K. Neivcome, and Donald Sinclair, Esqrs.] Tuesday, January 29th, 1861. Francis Johns, master oF the steamer Airedale, wa3 brought up, charged by Mr. Thomas Cawthron, the managing clerk of the I.R.M. Company, with being concerned in the late robbery; also, William M'-Taggart, at present absent, as an accomplice. Mr. Travels appeared on behalf of tha Company. Thomas Scaife, purser of the Airedale, on his oath, saith as follows: Am purser of the steamer Airedale, and one of the persons here yesterday charged on suspicion of this robbery : was purser of the shipon her last voyage; have been in the Airedalesince 2nd of February last; have been nine years in the Compauy ls employ, seven years in the office, and two in the ship; the last voyage of the Airedale was from Sydney to Nelson; there were two boxes of gold said to contain £10,000 on board ; they were shipped in Sydney at the Grafton wharf; the*boxes produced yesterday were the same; bills of lading were signed by Captain Johns in my presence for them; also in the presence of Mr. Powell, acting manager in Sydney, and a Mr. Brandon. Have written orders from the company to sign all bills of lading, including specie—it is not the practice for the captain to sign them; believe the reason why this was departed from on this occasion was because it was the wish of the Union Bank. Saw the boxes twice since, but did not see them during the voyage. The gold was placed in the mail room ; saw the boxes twice when the mail was taken out. I keep the key of the mailroom ;it is one of Chubb's patent brass padlocks, I bought it myself in Auckland. The key was brass, and I kept it fastened to a bunch in my possession. About an hour after her arrival, I left the ship for the purpose of going to the post office to get a receipt for the mails: this was about eleven in the morning. Was off and on during the day until 6 o'clock, when I left. It was about half-past nine when the mail-room was opened the second time ; I was present on both occasions. It was first opened by W. M'Taggart, the second mate; the gold was resting on some mail-bags on the first occasion, and had to be removed to get the bags out. The boxes were placed near the door. There are two or three shelves in the room 1 think three ; one of the shelves goes right round the mail-room. It was on the top of the watertank near the mail-room door that the boxes were placed. The boxe3 were not removed when the door was opened the second time. It was opened by John Mowbray, the 3rd mate, the second time. There was only one ke}' —no duplicate keys. The door was locked on both occasions after the mails were taken out in my presence ; I retained the key. We have carried specie before many a time, and always kept it in the same place, It has been the custom to deliver it as soon as arrived and get a receipt for the same. Do not remember having specie at any other time for transhipment. This specie was intended for New Plymouth. Have brought specie from Auckland to New Plymouth. Remember bringing from Auckland £20,000 for New Plymouth. We did not deliver it at New Plymouth, but brought it on to Nelson through stress of weather; on our arrival it was taken up immediately by myself and Captain Johns; it was taken to the Bank for security. It was taken by the Captain's orders. After I left the ship in the evening I did not return until the next morning between 7 and 8 o'clock. I have a right to leave the ship when I like, have not been prohibited from doing so; could not leave her during any part of her voyage without permission, I had permission to do so this time in writing from Mr. Clark, the manager. It was addressed Captain Johnsandleftintheofficeforhim. There was a press copy taken of it in Sydney. I was backwards and forwards all day until I left her for good for this voyage, in consequence of the written permission given me. I was during the interval with a Mr, Ball. I slept at Ball's. I was also at my own house across the Mud Flat, near Toi-toi valley. The steward of the ship was with me, also the engineer, Mr. Wakeford, part of the time. Mr. Ball's house is situate in Washington Valley ; Mrs. Ball was at home, and also the other members of the family. I breakfasted at Mr. Ball's before going to the ship. Was at the same place the next evening in company with Mr. Ball. I was to have been married to one of Mr. Ball's daughters on Monday last. Remember the Monday before our arrival in port, we were at sea, the weather was fine : saw the captain that day (21st); was in his cabin between 8 and 9 that evening. Mr. Wakeford was there, Mr. Coleman was also there for a short time : I was there about an hour. We were engaged in conversation, but not on business; to the best of my recollection Captain Johns asked us in. We had something to drink, believe it was brandy. Some conversation then took place in reference to this specie. Mr. Wakeford, myself and the captain were present. Mr. Coleman was not there. The captain's cabin is on the starboard side amidships, it joins another cabin, the ladies' cabin on one side and a passengers' cabin on the other. Do not think the passengers' cabin was occupied at that time. The captain's cabin was shut when the conversation took place about the specie. The captain made a remark to me and Wakeford that " it would be a good lob—meaning the £10,000 —he had received a letter, and was going home this year. He said he had been trading in Sydney—he said to Wakeford," Sam, there will be a good lift or lob when we get to Nelson.' 1 Nothing more took place then—no reply was made either by me or Mr. Wakeford. We left the cabin soon after that. After I heard of the robbery, I mentioned the conversation to Mr. Wakeford, and also to Mr. Cawthron; believe the captain was sober when he said it. I have authority to move specie without reference to any one, when I sign the bills of lading myself; but in this instance the bill of lading having been signed by the captain, 1 should not do so without his orders. Did not receive any order to remove the specie in question. He did not speak to me about the specie at all from the time of our arrival in port until the Friday when I left. The specie was to have been transhipped to the Lord Ashley for conveyance to New Plymouth. The Ashley arrived the next day after our arrival—early in the morning of Friday, the 25th instant. She first went to the coal hulk and then came alongside the wharf about mid-day. Did not see the captain (Johns) between the time that the Lord Ashley came to the wharf, and my leaving in the evening. I saw the captain on Friday, and spoke to him, but upon business only. He did not mention anything to me about the specie during that da}1". By the Court: I first heard of the mail-room being broken open from the purser of the Lord Ashley on Saturday; my attention was not called to it ou Friday by anything that was unusual. First sfuv the door after it was broken open between 9 and 10 on Saturday morning, that was after I heard of the robbery. The Court asked Captain Johns if he wished to ask the witness any questions. By Captain Johns: This is not the first time that I have known captains to sign bills of lading, I have known it done many times. When the £20,000 arrived from Auckland it was taken to the bank for security, and after remaining two or three j days went back straight to Taranaki. This is hot tho first instance that I have known that gold has been left in the steamer when another steamer has been expected hourly. It is customary for all letters addressed to captains of steamers to be copied. Did not send tho purser of the Lord Ashley on board the Airedale to receive the gold; spoke to him about it in the office. I have been two or three times in your cabin since I have been on board the Airedale; believe wo were smoking and drinking grog at the time ; have kuovvn the cabin to be opened when smoking has been going on, have seen Mr. Robert Coleman smoking in the captain's cabin, and the door opeu. Recollect perfectly well that you were the first; person that spoke of the bullion on board, and nqt Me. Wakeford. Do not know the name of the* boy that was working oa board on the Friday: only saw one boy. It was aa, error of

mine about tiic shelves in (ho mail-room : they were taken down when tho Airedale was in Sydney for tho purpose of having tlie room lined with zinc. To the best of my knowledge Ido not believe there are any shelves at present in the mail-room. The gold when last seen by me was placed on the tank in the mail-room. The boxes by the look of tht-m would be about 15 by 10. I have been detained in company with Mr. Wakeford when in the lock-up, and at Mr. Ball's. Have not concocted this charge (o implicate you. I wish to clear myself. Mr. Wakeford and myself have had a conversation as to what we would say in court. Reminded Mr. ■ Wakeford that I was going to bring forward what the Captain said to us when in his cabin. I did at the time think you spoke it in jest; but as the matter has turned out, I of coursehave thought differently.

Re-examined: Believe I mentioned the circumstances, as to what the captain said, to Mr. Cawthron about two hours after I heard of the robbery and before I was taken in charge. Have not seen him since. Had not been many minutes with Mr. Cawthron when it was mentioned; it was in reference to the robbery that it was mentioned, and before any examination of witnesses had taken place. The examination took place on board by Mr. Akersten ; it was done at the request of the captain and Mr. Cawthron.

By Captain Johns: Heard that Mr Coieman is going home shortly in the Salsette; am not sure whether it was in Sydney or at sea first heard of his going home ; heard it several times rumored. Left England in the Lord Worsley in July, 1858. Court adjourned for half an hour.

The court, on re-assembling, called

Samuel Wakeford, who deposed as follows:— I am chief engineer of the Airedale, and was in her during her last voyage from Sydney to Nelson. I remember the evening of Monday, the 21st of January, we were at sea. I saw Captain Johns that evening, after I was on the watch, between 9 and 10 o'clock ; he was on deck, and asked me j to go down and take a glass of grog with him. It #not a common occurrence, but Captain Johns j has done so frequently. I went into the cabin ] with him, followed soon after by Messrs. Coleman and Scaife. Mr. Coleman remained for about half an hour and then left, leaving Captain Johns, my-r self, and Scaife together. We discoursed upon ordinary topics. A conversation took place between us respecting the bullion on board, and I will quote Captain Johns' own words as near as I can: he said "lain going home to England, and I should like to make a good thing of it previously to going some way or another; it would be a nice thing, Sam, if we could clear out those two boxes ot f pecie right.'1 I made a laugh of it, and made no reply. He made no other observation respecting the bullion. I first heard of the robbery on Saturday morning, about 10 o'clock, as I was coming up to the court respecting a case that was coming on relative to one of the firemen; the purser of the Ashley, Mr. Green, informed me of it. I was present on the finding of a chisel on board, when Captain Johns was handed the chisel by the carpenter: this was in the cabin. I was present when the Captain went down with the chisel, and laid it on the chine of the door where a staple had originally been forced. The carpenter, when he handed the chisel, said it had been found outside the mail-room door on the water tank. Am acquainted with Mr. M'Taggart, the second mate; he was not present when the Captain examined the door, but think he was working cargo. Saw the Captain leave the mailroom door and go into his own cabin with the chisel in his hand. To the best of my recollection neither of the mates were present at the examination of the door. Never saw the second mate and the Captain in communication at that time. I did not see any boxes fished up. By Captain Johns: Have not heard of any conversation in Sydney relative to your going home. At the time I took what you said respecting the bullion as a joke; you. are generally very jocose on minor matters when taking a glass of grog: I have made similar remarks myself when in conversation with you. There is nothing unusual in closing your cabin door when persons are inside, and when smoking. I have a recollection when it was rumored we had £20^000 on board. At that time my impression was that we - went South before taking the bullion in again. I do not think there are any shelves in the bullionroom, but there is a locker in it which may be used as a shelf. Mr. Coleman was not in the cabin when I first went down, but he came in shortly after. On the morning of the robbery I and the purser met Mr. Green, and went to West's, where you were getting shaved, and told you of the robbery. We then went to the Wakatu to acquaint Mr. Coleman of it, who was in bed at the time : we then went down the beach to go on board. I never heard any conversation of Mr. Coleman going home until I heard it in Court to-day. By the Bench : We were talking in the ordinary way, not in a subdued tone. Most of the passengers were in their berths at the time; they could not hear us. Thomas Cawthron sworn : lam managing clerk or local manager to the Royal Mail Company. I received information of a robbery on Saturday morning last that had taken place on board the Airedale from Sydney. Received the information from Mr. M'Taggart. He asked me if I knew where the gold was. Told him I did not, but supposed it was on board the ship. Mr. M'Taggart said the mail-room door is open, and the gold is not there. I said probably it has already been shifted. He then said the dooi1 appeared to have been broken open. I went immediately back to the office to see if Mr. Scaife was there; I found he had left for town. I first saw Scaife that morning; about half-past 9 in my office I instructed him to go to the Post Office for clearances for the ship. I was going round to the wharf when I met Mr. M'Taggart. Mr. Green, who had charge of the office in my absence, was there, and I told him the gold had been stolen. I immediately sent Mr. Green to find out .the Captain and purser to ask them if they knew where the gold was. After Mr. Green left I locked the office door, and' went on board to examine the mail-room; I found the men discharging cargo in the after-hold. Mr. M'Taggart was on deok, and believe the third mate was below, but will not be certain; I did not examine it, but merely looked down : I saw that a lock waa attached to the door, and the door open. 1 went on deck and saw Mr. M'Taggart, and told him. I then turned back to the office again. I felt very uneasy and went myself to town, and I met Mr. Wakeford and the purser. I asked them if they iiad seen Mr. Green ? They said they had, and they pointed out thecaptain to me who was talking to Judge Johnson. The captain told me that he knew of it, and that he had seen the police, and had made arrangements with them to come down. immediately. Judge Johnson recommended that Captain Rou^h should be seen in order that any vessel going out might be stopped. Then went to Captain Rough and told him, and went back to my office. Some time after the purser came in and we had a conversation respecting the robbery. He said that it was such a si rious affair that persons could not help making a remark that Captain Johns had said on the passage to Nelson, ' What a fine haul it would be after our arrival in Nelson.' Made a note of it at the time. Was present when the last of the two boxes was fished up, which was produced yesterday, there were pieces of lead attached to the ends of both. Saw Captain Johns put a mark on a piece of lead attached to the box B. Cap'am Johns made a remark on the rope of the box B :he said he would swear positively to that line, as he bought it in Auckland for a log line when last there; He examined it thoroughly. Captain Johns was on board of the Lord Ashley when box A was fished up. • After the second box had been fished I took a trap and went with them to the Union Bank. Captain Johns did not give any directions to search for box A. The dragging was carried out by a Mr. Garrard, the master of the coal hulk. Cross-examined by Captain Johns: Did not attach any importance to what Mr. .Scaife said, knowing you are in the habit of joking. Have heard similar remarks made by you in reference to what the customs consider attempts to smuggle. Have known yoato buy Uaesfov the ship aud give

ordprs f'-i;1 work to hi1 ■performed without a rcquisifim from the Company's officer.

Re-examined: baw Captain Johns all day on the Thursday on board up to six O'clock. Saw Captain Johns on my way home standing opposite Mr. Wilson's store, between half-past seven and a quarter to eight; he was in a trap and I was on foot. Messrs. Johns, Coleman, and LI £11 were in the trap. Messrs. Coleman and Hill went up the Waimea-road, and I kept in company with Mr. Johns; he went into West's the barber, and I went on.

The deposition of Captain Johns taken on a previous day was here put in as evidencel, implicating the four persons brought up, and read to this court.

At this stage of the proceedings Mr. Travcra sai(], as there were several witnesses to be examined lie thought it desirable that the court should adjourn.

Captain Johns was then bound over to appear in the sum'of i>looo for himself ? and two securities in £500 each. Messrs. Wilkie and "Wilson wero the securities chosen out of numerous offers made.