MAIL ROBBERY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1932, 15 December 1913, Page 6

MAIL ROBBERY.

ON THE MAIN TRUNK LINE. SIX BACG FUFLEt). (By Telecra.Dh-Prcss Asoociatttm.l Taumsrunui, December 13. A daring robbery of mail matter took place in the Ta'umarumii Post Office during the early hours of Fridav morning._ The usual custom is for the mail earner to take the north-going mails to 1110 11.50 p.m. express and bring in the mails reaching Taumarmnii from tho soutu. Then lie goes off duty until 4 a.m., when the southward-bound mails aro taken to the train and the incoming Auckland mail is brought in. AVhen the mail carrier came on duty at ■[ a.m. tho office appeared to be intact, but on returning from takiit" the outward (Wellington) mail to the" st:v tion ho discovered that five out of sis mward southern mail bags were missing. Tiie police were immediately communicated witli, and lliftv made a search, discovering the bags, with the seals cut! lying in different parts of the town.' A number of letters, registered and otherwise, had been opened, and anv valuable contents abstracted. ■ Tho circumstances point to a deliberately planned robbery, which it is surmised took place between midnight and i a.m. The Post Office is not furnished with a strong-room, and as this is one of the most important distributing centres oil the Slain Trunk line the .need lor effective protection of this .character is apparent. It is a question also whether the mail should not be carried by two men, as one man is liable to ho attacked and overpowered. I'lieso aro points which will doubtless have attention. .Meanwhile tlw police are closely investigating the matter. Selective! Guiles, of Auckland, has arrived here.