THREE BOMBS FOUND

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 458, 20 May 1932, Page 4

THREE BOMBS FOUND

Russian Seaman Arrested in Auckland. SENSATIONAL EVIDENCE. (Special to the ** Star.”) AUCKLAND, May 19. Three bombs, found in the possession of a Russian seaman, a leader of the Communist party, are now in the hands of the police. This afternoon Detectives Nalder and Packman arrested a Russian seaman, George SergeefF, aged forty-two. He was charged with knowingly having in his possession a bomb with intent to commit a crime. Accused was arrested in Princes Street, near Government House, and at the Police Station he was questioned by Inspector J. W. Hollis and Sub-Inspector Gibson. He was then taken by detectives to the Sailors’ Home, where he has been staying since he arrived in Auckland about April 4. On searching accused’s room Detective Nalder discovered a large bomb with detonator and fuse already attached, also a third bomb made like the first one, out of a grease cup. This was filled with sulphur and had no detonator or fuse. Two of the bombs were packed with gelignite and had detonators and fuses already fixed. The second bomb found in the home was about five or six inches long and made of iron piping. The arrested man speaks fairly good English, with a Russian accent. In stating that the accused had one bomb with him when arrested Inspector Hollis said that for some days members of the detective staff had been shadowing certain members of the Communist party and this afternoon’s arrest was the sequel. Both bombs filled with gelignite were, in the opinion of the police, sufficiently powerful to blow up a large building. They are being examined by military experts to determine their strength. Lived in Lyttelton. Sergeeff is maintaining silence and he gave no detailed statement to the police. ITis information to them was confined to the statement that he arrived in New Zealand twelve years ago, leaving a Russian steamer at Lyttelton. This has been corroborated, and it has been learnt that he had a furrier’s shop in Lyttelton. It is stated that Sergeeff first came under the notice of the Auckland police about a month ago, when he arrived from the south. He has been to unemployed meetings, and had become a leading figure with a certain section.