Daring Robbery at the Post Office

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 126, 30 April 1889, Page 2

Daring Robbery at the Post Office

SAFE STOLEN AND THE CONTENTS ABSTRACTED. RAILWAY STATION ALSO ENTERED Sometime late last night, or early this morning, a burglarious entry was effected into the Post Office, and the cash aafe removed a few hundred yards down the Railway Line in the direction of the Oroua River. The particulars of the affair are as follows : — The burglars hftd possessed themselves of Mr Light's handcart, a sledge hammer, crowbar, steol punch, a screw driver, and a dark lantern. Thus prepared they proceedod to the Railway platform. With the crowbar a window of the Post Office, near the private entrance, was forced up, the fastenings being smashed in the operation. Entrance being thus effected, the reat wiib easy. The door was forced open from the inside, and the safe, which is a small and very contemptible one (miserably insufficient for the secure keeping of the large sums which are daily roceived by the officials in the course of business) lifted on to the hand cart. The latter was then wheeled down the road in the direction mentioned, until the robbers were secure from interruption, when they proceeded to open the safe. This was done by cutting out the back in a very workmanlike manner, in the dun starlight, and the flickering rays of the bull's eye lantern. After taking possession of the notes and coin, they collected the books, papers, bill stamps, &c, in a heap and set fire to them. It was this fire, or rather the remains of it, which attracted the attention of Mr Wm, Bowler, who was on liis way to get in his horses. With great presence of mind he at once gave an alarm to Mr Towler, the porter at the Station, and Mr Stevens, the postmaster, was soon apprised of his loss. Owing to the unavoidable absence of Constable Meehan, at Wanganui, nothing could be done, except gather up the debris and deposit them at the Police office, where they will lie for identification. Of the absence of police protection the burglars must have been aware, and their plans laid accordingly. It appears the porter's room at the Railway Station was also entjred, apparently to get the hand truck only, because nothing else was touched. We are informed by Mr Stevens that the value belonging to the Government was about .£2lO, of which £26 was in cash, the remainder being in cheques, postal notes and postage stamps, of which some were burned, but no traces have been discovered of the ios age tan pi or cheques, therefore it is to be presumed they were carried ofl by the thieves.