MELBOURNE CRIMINALS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 196, 20 August 1934, Page 9

MELBOURNE CRIMINALS

I t INFLUX INTO SYDNEY. >1 4 4 HOLIDAY” BEFORE CENTENARY i There has been an influx into Sydney f lately of Vicitorian criminals who are " believed to be trying to keen out of 4 the clutches of the police at Melbourne r before returning there for *he ccn- n tenary celebrations. g When honest citizens gather to cele- > brate a festival occasion—and incidentally to spend money—thieves usually |g manage to obtain their share of the I ( cash in circulation. Confidence men, j c pickpockets, housebreakers. shop- J breakers, and armed hold-up men • j gather from near and far. At Easter, 1 when the Royal Show is held. Sydney ’s underworld takes its toll from the crowds of visitors and local residents with money to spend. In addition, * many criminals go to Sydney from 1 other States to share in the spoils. The forthcoming centenary celebrations in Melbourne are expected to attract, besides great crowds of honest 1 visitors, as many inter-State “ crooks” 51 as can make the journey to the Vic- ; torian capital. Victorian police admin- j istering the local Consorting Act. how- a ever, are stated to be carrying out a a preparatory 4 ‘cleaning-up” campaign j. in Melbourne underworld haunts, and c it is expected that the lot of the thief 8 during tho centenary celebrations will s be a hard one. ( The immediate result of this Vic- j torian police activity has been an influx 1 of Melbourne criminals into Sydney J during the past few weeks. Sydney de- a -*99^ v es are convinced that their un- 9 welcome visitors hope, by this move. n to keep out of gaol for the next few mosths in order to be able to return to Melbourne when the centenary cele- < brations begin, and then reap an ill- J gotten harvest. d Harassed by police attentions into leaving Melbourne, however, these criminals are finding a further source ( of worry in the vigilance of the Sydney 1 detectives. They are not being allowed ' any latitude, and a few who have at- 'j tempted minor housebreaking coups in order to pay the expenses of their 44 holiday” have been arrested