MR. BIRRELL ROBBED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3142, 11 February 1911, Page 5

MR. BIRRELL ROBBED.

CABINET MINISTER AND THE AFFABLE CHANGER.

LEFT ALMOST PENNILESS

The Paris Police recently made known the particulars of a.peculiarly audacious robbery, of which the victim is none other than Mr. Augustine .Birrell, ALP., Chief Secretary for Ireland.

It appears that on a recent Tuesday morning Mr. Birrell left London for Switzeland, travelling as usual by way of Calls and Paris. The boat was very crowded, and on its becoming known who lie was. Mr. Birrell became a centre of attraction. One or two well-dressed strangers paid him particular attention, and with two. of. them he passed some few remarks in conversation. On reaching Calais the same well-dressed men passed off the boat with him, and saw him into the train for Paris after the examination of luggage, etc., was completed. It was not till some time after the train had started that Air. Birrell had occasion to refer to his pocket-book for a document with,, which he desired to refresh his memory. To hisi astonishment his pocket-book was missing. There was a hurried search among: clothes - and luggage, but the ooo'ket-book could not lie"found. Somebody then drew his attention to that fact that his tie was in disorder, and he then found that he had also been robbed of a pearl pin worth about £IOO. Further search on The right lion, gentleman’s part disclosed the fact that other pockets had been cleverly picked. In fact, the thieves had left him with only a few shillings in silver and some coppers, so that he was practically destitute when he landed in Paris and a uprise d the police there of his loss. He was at once provided with money to enable him, to reach his destination, vYovey, in Switzerland. The pocket-bock; which is described as being of maroon-colored morocco leather, contained nine £5 Bank ofFrngland notes, numbered; 97,011 to 97.019. There wove also four cheque's varying m amount from £3O to. £7O.