AUCKLAND SENSATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18641, 20 May 1932, Page 6

AUCKLAND SENSATION.

RUSSIAN ARRESTED. BOMBS IN HIS POSSESSION., SAID TO BE VERY POWERFUL, AUCKLAND, Friday. • Wiicn George Sergeeff, aged 42, formerly a Russian seaman, was arrested by detectives yesterday, a small steel-covered bomb containing gelignite was found in his pocket. Two more bombs, one made with a length of piping, were found when a search of the arrested man's room was made later. The arrest followed police investigation into the activities of a certain section of Communists. Sergeef has been under suspicion for some days, and lie has been watched carefully. He offered no resistance. At the police station, Sergeef was detained and charged. The bomb found on Sergeef resembled a grease-cup and has a screwtop. It is somewhat smaller than a man’s fist. When taken from his pocket it was in parts and was capable of being assembled in a few moments. It is stated to be very powerful. There was a fuse attached and a detonator. The fuse was about four inches in length, and it would probably Ignite the bomb in under 10 seconds. Bombs and Gelignite. One of the bombs found in. Sergeef’s room at the Sailors’ Home resembled the one in his possession and the other was enclosed in piping about a foot long. The latliy is considered to be the most power Ail and a longer fuse indicates it would be best used for “planting" under a building or structure. Further lengths of fuse and additional gelignite were found in the room. Other lengths of piping, stopped at one end, also came Into possession of the police. A paper signifying that accused had collected subscriptions to aid “ the families of strikers now in prison ” was also found among a mass of .correspondence. Tlie amount lie collected and for which a receipt is given is 19s Gd. Sergeef gave no detailed statement to the police last evening. His information was confined to the statement that he arrived in New Zealand 12 years ago, leaving a Russian steamer at Lyttelton. It has been learnt that he had a furrier’s shop in Lyttelton. A few years ago, it is stated, his business suffered loss by Are and since then he has had work as a seaman on coastal vessels. It is stated that Sergeef first came under the notice of the Auckland police about a month ago, when he arrived from the South. He had been to unemployed meetings and had become a leading figure with a certain section. ACCUSED BEFORE COURT. REMANDED TILL NEXT FRIDAY. NO APPLICATION FOR BAIL. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Friday. The Police Court was crowded when George Sergeef (42), a seaman, appeared on a charge that yesterday lie was found in possession of a certain dangerous instrument, a bomb, with intent thereby to commit a crime. The police applied for, and were granted, a remand till next- Friday. No application was made for bail and no comment was made by the police or accused.