Stolen Masonic Regalia

In July 1904 stolen Masonic regalia was recovered from a house in Redan.

The story
A man who attended a Masonic meeting as a visitor, stole the valuable regalia belonging to two Ballarat Masons: "THEFT OF MASONIC REGALIA. CHARGE AGAINST A BROTHER. BALLARAT, Monday. A blacksmith named Robert Lewis, aged 22, was arrested at Redan to-day by Detective Montague and Senior Constable Taylor on a charge of stealing Masonic regalia and jewels, valued at £12, belonging to Mr. Stephen Mason, of the Ballarat Lodge of Freemasons. A further charge of stealing a Masonic jewel, valued at £10, the property of Mr. Henry J. Hall, artist, has been preferred against Lewis. Accused, who is a member of the Masonic order in Western Australia, recently arrived in Ballarat, and while on a fraternal visit to the Ballarat Lodge, it is alleged, he committed the thefts at the conclusion of the proceedings. The missing property has been found by the police in a box at accused's lodgings at Redan. Some of the settings in Bro. Hall's regalia had been removed, and Lewis has admitted that he endeavored to melt down one of the gold bars in the jewel, but failed in the effort owing to want of proper appliances. The inscription on Bro. Mason's jewel had been filed off, presumably by accused. Both jewels were those of worshipful masters of the order. The detectives report that they have also discovered in the box of the prisoner some Foresters' regalia, and inquiries are now being made as to how Lewis became possessed of these articles. Another examination to-night of the belongings of Lewis resulted in the discovery of a gold watch, gold ring, diamond ring and five gold pins. Brother Mason is a member of the Naval and Military Masonic Lodge, Melbourne."