STICKING-UP OF THE MERRIWA COACH.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 49, 2 December 1871, Page 3

STICKING-UP OF THE MERRIWA COACH.

Last Wednesday evening, about a quarter to 7 o’clock (the Upper Hunter Courier reports), and just a little before dark, as the Muswellbrook and Cassilis mail was proceeding from Hall’s Creek to Merriwa, and had reached the foot of Wappinguey, two armed men, on foot, met the coach and ordered the driver (Mr E. Cummins) to stop. Cummins has often been told to “ bail up” by some of his familiar acquaintances in a similar manner, and asked what they meant. The smaller man of the two said, “ You will soon see ; drive to that little scrub,” which was about twenty yards from the road ; “we want the mail bags, and it would look ridiculous to open them on the road,” presenting their revolvers at the same time to within an inconvenient distance of the driver’s head. When the coach arrived at the scrub Cummins was ordered to come down, and tie his reins to the bar, and go to his leading horses’ head, and turn his back to the bushrangers, under a penalty of receiving the contents of their revolvers. The stoutest of the two, who seemed to be the leader, placed his companion (who had the appearance of a novice in the stickingup business) guard over the driver, and took the bags from the boot of the coach, cut a large slit in the side with his knife, began to examine the contents of the several bundles of letters. The scoundrel continued at this occupation for nearly an hour and a half. When lie had satisfied himself they called “Tom”—a supposed third party—to bring the horses, but “ Tom” not making his appearance, the bushrangers went in search of him, leaving the driver to gather up the letters and bags and proceed on his way. The mail arrived here about half-past nine, and the robbery was at once reported to the police. Superintendent Morisset came to town a few minutes before the robbery took place, and I believe he has made arrangements for the police to follow on the bushrangers’ track. The robbery lias caused a deal of excitement in town, and people are surprised that the up country mail should be attacked.