The Pontypridd District Herald and Rhondda Valley, Llantrisant, Caerphilly, and Mountain Ash News. — 1894-05-26 (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

THE ALLEGED ROBBERY OF THE BURMESE REGALIA.  In view of the interest excited by the published reports ooncerning the alleged robbery of King Theebow's crown jewels, a correspondent at Mandalay has made a number of inquiries with regard to the matter for the purpose of eliciting looal information and opinion as to the looting story. A British officer, now in Mandalay, who was present at the British occupation of the city, on November 28, 1885, said, in reply to questions, that if any robbery of regalia had been perpetrated it must have occurred on the night of November 23.29. On that night 10 Burmese Ministers were with the King, and of these three —Kin Woen Myiugyu, Shiva Daik Atwinwoon, and Myo Woon Oo Paissie, C.l.E.—were in charge of the strong room where the regalia were kept. The first-named of these gentlemen is far advanced in years, and unable to give any Information, but the correspondent had interviews with the other two Burmese Ministers. Myo Woon Oo Paissie told the correspondent that the crown jewels consisted at the time of the British occupation of the following :—Two head-pieces, one helmet-shaped, the other resembling a bishop's mitre; two cross-belts, two spears, the famous peacock, a golden sword in s golden scabbard, • necklace composed of triple rows of rubies and diamonds intermingled, eight fans, chains with orders, rings for the hands and feet, two royal state suits, the state slippers, and a pair of earAll Miens articles sere profusely studded with diamonds, brilliants, and rubies, the only precious stones permitted to be used in the Crown jewels. There were a number of other articles of secondary importance. Shive Daik Atwinwoon, on being asked what he could say regarding the alleged disappearance of the regalia, stated that, by order of the King, he had handed over the keys of the strong room to Colonel Sladen, all the State jewellery being then intact, and his personal responsibility had ended there. The opinion of all concerned ai pears to be that the story of the robbery is most improbable. Sentries were at each gate of the palace, and it is regarded as impossible that anyone could have carried out such heavy and bulky articles as the royal treasures and buried them without the theft becoming matter of public knowledge.  Fourteen new collieries are about to be opened in Scotland, mostly within the district traversed by the Caledonian Railway. It is estimated that the production of Scottish coal will thus be augmented b/20,000 tons per week.  Colonel Hutchinson, of the India Trigonometrioal Survey, was killed by a tiger on the 27th ult., while out in camp near Belganm. Deoeased had wounded the tiger badly, when it sprang on him, tore hie thigh and abdomen, killing him instantly. He was brought to Beigaum, where he was Interred. Great sympathy is felt, as the colonel was very popular. Mrs. Dawson, the wife of the landlord of the Saraoen's Head, Ipswich, committed suicide on Sunday by hanging herself with • travelling bag strap. The deoeased, who was only 25 years of age, had recently been confined of twins.