STICKING UP THE BANK AT MOE.

Kumara Times, Issue 992, 4 December 1879, Page 4

STICKING UP THE BANK AT MOE.

The following is Mr Monro's account of the attempted sticking up of the Moe Bank, Gippsland : “ I was sitting in my parlour about 9 o’clock on 'Wednesday evening alone, my wife having gone out to the grocery store. I was just on the point of going to bring her home when she came in at the back door. We sat down in the parlour, and had been conversing for about a quarter of an hour, when we heard a gentle knock at the back door, the same as my wife had entered by. This door opens into a large yard, and it is screened from the garden by a detached kitchen. I went to the door and opened it slightly, not more than an inch. Just as I did so I felt a pressure from the outside, and on looking out I saw a masked figure wearing a tall soft felt hat. The mask was like a nightcap, for it covered the man’s head completely, and holes were cut in it for the eyes and mouth. I was naturally rather alarmed at a man calling in such a questionable shape, and asked, ‘Who are you? What do you want ?' I endeavoured at the same time to close the door, but the man forced it wide open, and pressed himself in. He made no reply to my questions, and never spoke a word. He got into the lobby in spite of me, and was followed by another man similarly masked, and wearing the same kind of hat. They, however, did not get far in when I seized the first one by the breast of his coat, and proceeded to push him out. The other being behind him, it was a question of one pushing against two. We wrestled for a minute or two, and I called loudly for help. My desire was to get them out if possible, because I thought there would be more chance of assistance outside, whereas if they got in they could have bailed me up in a corner. Eventually I succeeded in forcing both out and down the three steps at the door. I never lost my hold of the first man, and when we got into the yard we both fell and continued the struggle on the ground. The second man stood by, looking on, and he seemed to take no part in the fight. It struck me, too, that both appeared to have been quite unprepared for any resistance. We rolled over and over on the ground. I certainly had this advantage over my opponent in that the ground slopes downwards from the house, and generally seemed to have the upper hand. I still continued crying for assistance but none came, so I then endeavoured to work towards a pile of firewood, so that I might get a billet of wood as a weapon. Before I could do so, however, I saw that my opponent was searchwith one hand about his side, as if for a pistol. I therefore kept a watch on his movements, and as he pulled forth a revolver I seized it with my right hand and tried hard to wrest it from him. In this tug of war the revolver exploded, but did not hurt anyone. I was so excited that 1 cannot say whether or not I heard the report of the revolver, but other people did, and 1 certainly remember hearing the snap of the trigger. In the struggle for the weapon I injured my thumb, cutting it in several places. Still holding on to the ruffian, I said,; I will not let you go,’ and reiterated my calls for help. I also continued to work towards the pile of wood, and was just about succeeding when 1 received a very severe blow on the side of my head from the second man. This blow stunned me, and I had to release my hold. I connot say what I was hit with. The men then made their escape, jumping the fence and runding through the bush in the direction of Trafalgar. The hats of both men were found afterward in the yard, as was also one of their masks. The mask is composed of a serge material. When ray wife heard me calling out she ran to the front door, and alao called for assistance. I believe that if I had had any weapon I could have easily secured the offenders, for they were both abject cowards. I was bare-headed and emptyhanded, 1 have always a revolver at my hand in the Bank, but have not been accustomed to carry it on me after banking hours. Even if the men had overpowered me, they could not have reached the money. My arms and limbs are bruised and stiff, and somewhat cut and my chest is a little sore but otherwise I don t feel much the forse for my encounter. Mrs Munro has naturally suffered from the fright. I have seen one °* j l ?. e?0^ er . 8 found on the prisoners, and believe it is the one I tried to wrest from the man I had the struggle with, as the rod is tent. There are also marks ut l an( f the marks have probably been due to the cuts on my hand It has been sent, I believe, to the Government analytical chemist for examination.”