BUSHRANGING IN TASMANIA.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3347, 13 September 1879, Page 3

BUSHRANGING IN TASMANIA.

The first case of robbery under arms which has occurred in Tasmania for many years was reported at the police station yesterday afternoon by John Faulkiner, the mailman employed in carrying the mail between the Lisle Gold-field and the Myrtle-bank Post-office. It appears that Faulkiner left the Lisle at the usual hour, and after proceeding about five miles alone the narrow track leading to Myrtle Bank, he was startled by Beeingaman covered with a sugee bag and a long hairy bat jump out of the scrub in front of him and present a revolver at his head, demanding the n'ailbags. Faulkiner at first denitd having the mail, but the man replied that he knew he had, and said if the mail was not handed up before he counted three he! would shoot him like he shot the Scottsdale mailman. Faulkiner became alarmed, and seeing that-there was no chance of escape by pushing his horse to gallop owing to the branches overhanging the track, delivered the bags up, and said, " Don't shoot." Another man, who Faulkiner did not see, but heard, said, "Don't shoot him, Ben." As soon as Faulkiner had delivered up the bag, he was told he might go on, which he did, and reported tbe affair to the constable stationed at Pattersonia, who refused to go out, because he had no firearms. Faulkiner then came on to town, and after reporting the matter to the postmaster, Mr Windeatt, proceeded to give information to the police. This is almost the first time that Faulkiner has carried tbe mail, the duty being more generally left to a young lad about 16 years of age. Faulkiner states most positively that the man intended to shoot him, as he saw the hammer of the pistol cocked, and the nipple capped. — Launeeston Examiner, August 5.