Page 2 Advertisements Column 2

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 6, 7 January 1873, Page 2

HIGHWAY ROBBERY NEAR AH A U R A . (From the Grey River Argus.) The intelligence that a daring and successful highway robbery : had been committed within a few miles, of Ahaura reached that place, on Tuesday evening between nine and ten o'clock. The alarm was. it is said, first given to the police by Mr James Hayes, draper, at Aba'ura, who. was the victim of the outrage, Mr Hayes has establishments at Ahaura, Reef ton, aad Half-Ounce, and he has for. some time been the largest purchaser of gold at tbe latter place. His account of the affair is tbat he had been detained at HalfOunce in the transaction of urgent business longer than usual, and when he started for Ahaura it was coming on, to nightfall. On reachiug a part of the road not far from the entrance to the racecourse, and just where the metalled track emerges from the bush on to the plains, he was accosted by a" maD, who, after bidding him good evening, caught bold of the bi idle of his horse. The thief, at the same time, let fall over his face a piece of some fabric which was previously arranged upon his hat like a puggaree. Another man then appeared from behind a tree, and after presenting a doublebarrelled gun at Hayes ordered him to dismount. The second scoundrel . was disguised "with a wrapper thrown over his head and shoulders, with holes cut in it for tbe eyes. While one of the robbers: covered Hayes with the gun, the other undid a valise which was strapped upon the sad die, and, cutting it open, rifled it of its contents. These were, according to the report given the police, 3590z. of gold dust, £52 in notes, silver, and cheques,' in all amounting, to the value of £1400, They then ordered him to empty his pockets, and after taking everything he had abbufc him of any value, they told him to mount his horse again, and allowed him to proceed, warniog him that if he gave any, information of the robbery before the expiration of a month they would take his life. He made all haste to reach Ahaufa, and reported the circumstance at once to the police. There were a good many people in town at the time, who were making active preparations for. the celebration of the festivities usually observed on the advent of the New Year, and the astounding and sensational news caused great excitement. ' The police at once took measures .towards tracing and clearing up this mysterious affair, but although an immediate pursuit was ordered no clue ro the whereabouts of the miscreants has yet been obtained,' and owing to the almost total absence of crime in the district for some time, the police are at a loss whom to suspecti The country all round has been scoured by the officere, some of whom -started downi country to patrol tbe reads leading to G-rey mouth. A close searcn was made by the policeat Greymputb, of the steam-tug Dispatch previous to her trip over the bar to tender the- Albion on Wednesday night, but the most minute^ examination failed 1 to leadi-to; any- discovery; with respect to "the robbery.! & reward of £100 is offered by the manager- of vthe Bank of N.ew South Wales for; aucfr in formation as will bear. upon' the case'.:rr..'Th.e"tim ; e ; and place were/exactly .saHable^ for: the .perpetration of this piece of villainy. ■ The 'part ; of the road where .the;- robbery i' was | committed yiß'u&M all; "times^lbrielyy^and would be especially- so.;ati> : ab6utdars]cii It is at a place where a bridgeda built' across a deeprrflvin'e, icoraing to^wKichWinS^ pace . travelleri?iis\ usuallyllslackened, and there is not" anyMrieins'rof: eVcafje .; at-.eiiher side. These: circumstaDce^VPP^'M^ 6 the fpotpa.ds;a,>, favorable f opportunity' 'for ejfectipg their purpose successful ly.'ff Much /sympathy is expressed jfocMr 'Hayes/ who is an enterprising tradesman,' and an old resident of the Grey Goldfields, but it is