COLD ROBBERY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13790, 23 October 1908, Page 7

COLD ROBBERY.

GREAT CONSPIRACY IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The Natal Witnes.-, publishes an articlo doscnbmg the methods of a gang ot criminals banded together to rob tho Rand mines. This paper sa>f>:— '•A'iow weeks ago, in consequence ot strong representations being made to the Transvaal Government, presumably b\ the Chamber ot Minos, a number of detectives wore sent down to Durban by the Transvaal authorities, with tho object oi endeavouring to locate the whereabouts oi :i syndicate supposed to bo in Durban, who wore in touch with confederates in Johannesburg. "Tho detectives, who constantly moved back' and forth between Durban and Johannesburg, wore ostensibly shadowing a few notorious Rand cliaiaeter^ attracted to Durban duiing the gala season. In reality they were quietly and cle\crly piecing together the story of the conspiracy of robbery and fraud, in the investigation of which they are now so far advanced as to assure their next line of action leading to important developments. Meanwhile, there has been a lull in tho trafnc, and it is believed the gang, becoming suspicious that the police aro after them, have temporarily -■ operations. "Tho method of tho gang, once tho gold is in their possesMQn. is as simple as it is daring. Confederates on the Rand obtain tho gold in tho first instance, from what sources and by what moans those of tho Johannesburg special police who are at all acquainted with the illicit gold tiaffic probably Irive a good idoa. WOMEN ACCOMPLICES.

"Hiving obtained the gold the next consideration is to get it to the. port, and for tins purpose women, fashionably dressed, and travelling first-class by tho fast mail, aro employed. It is stated that in recent years a large number of wrll-drcssod women, chiefly foreigner*:, have been employed in the traffic, and it is well known that in tho illicit diamond trade, and in the smuggling operations which are always going on oil the Continent, women figuro more piominently than men. "A member of the gang ai riving in Durban with the gold is never mot at the station by anybody, but has previously received instructions to repair to certain lodgings and remain there for sovoial days before communication is established. Eventually the gold is handed over to the proper quarter, and thence convened to another member of the gang, whose duty it is to get it over to London.

"This is naturally a most risky proceeding, in view of tho Customs restrictions on landing, but it is carried out with the aid of such ingenious contrivances as trunks with false bottoms. Tho member of the gang travelling by sea i > generally a man, always well-dressed and well-spoken, and invariably going first-class.

"It is stated that the gold k specially treated in Durban, and is omotimos packed in boxes designed for the purpose, r^ady for shipment to tho gold buyers in London. Once in London little difficulty is experienced in disposing ot the gold.

"The value of the <;old handled l>\ the ftang in Durban is estimated jit £30,000. Of this it is baid that £20,000 was passed this \oar. Fijiuros, however are difficult to obtain. <md impossible to verify; but, if, as there seems to be strong reason for believing, thror gangs have been at work thiough th<> principal seaports, tho value of stolen t.old must bo enormous."

Messrs McEwen Bros., boot importers, advertise a special window display of tan footwear.

The box plan for the carnival of the United Gymnasium Club was opened at the Dresden Piano rooms this looming. The Waitara West Road Board invites tenders for seven metal contracts.

Messrs Morey and Son advertise something special in wash goods. The Railway Social Club advertises a euchre party and dance to be held on Tuesday next as a benefit to Western Park.

At St. Joseph's School Social on Monday evening four prizes will-, be presented for the euchre tournament. After supper dancing will be carried on till ] a.m.

Ladies are advised to attend L. A. Nolan and Co.'s mart to-morrow, when a superior lot of dress material, blouses, macintoshes, and children's dresses will be sold.

In this issue will be found particulars of a large lot of useful articles left over from Mr Newton King's last sale on Saturday. These aro to bo cleared at Webster Bros.' to-morrow afternoon.

Readers' attention is directed to the sale of household furniture to be held in the Foresters' Hall, Gill Street, next Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. All tho goods are said to be in good order and as the owner, Mr R. W. Dixon, has left Now Plymouth, the sale should bo worth a visit. .Messrs Webster Bros, are tbe auctioneers.

Messrs Morey and Moore, of tho Busy Cash Store, King Street, have provided the programmes for tho benefit performance of '"Facing the Music" which takes place in tho Theatre Royal to-nighi. They aro to be congratulated on their enterprise as the programme forms a valuable advertising medium. The programmes aro enclosed in envelopes also containing advertising matter.

Me-sn; L. A. Nolan and <"•>. draw tho attention of those in wv-.u of furniture to their sale at Mr a\ C. Griffiths' house in Lemon Street or Wednesday. Many useful articles will be> sold, including a piano by Bord and a Singer sewing machine.