15th); this was another proof of its growing importance, while the Police shifted their camp, originally at Greymouth, but which had been transferred to the Taramakau, to Hokitika, then fast becoming the business centre of the goldfields.”
Interrupting Larnach’s narrative momentarily it is necessary to record that on January 28th, His Honour the Superintendent of the Province of Nelson, John Perry Robinson, arrived at Greymouth by the steamer Wallaby, on a tour of inspection. On the return trip to Nelson, when off the Buller, a boat was launched for the purpose of conveying the Superintendent to the township of Westport, which, when crossing the bar, capsized, His Honour and three others being drowned.
A few days after this distressing occurrence a sensational incident took place at the Waimea, whereby Walmsley, the Bank of New Zealand gold buyer, was robbed of gold to the value of £920 and £800 in notes. He had placed the gold and notes in a valise, which during his absence mysteriously disappeared. Fortunately Sergeant Broham was in the township when this happened and at once got to work, with the result that the following morning he recovered the valise minus the gold and £130 in notes. He arrested a man on suspicion, but could prove nothing against him and he was discharged. Years later a large quantity of gold was found near where the robbery took
