Robbery Under Arms.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 198, 5 September 1901, Page 1

Robbery Under Arms.

Sydney, September 3. Another Sensational sticking-up case is reported. The mail coach from Whitecliffs, the 'centre of the opal ruining district, to Wileannia, waa making the night journey, when it dra wup at a gate. A pausecger named Hunter jumped down and opened ti e gate. A masked robber then stepped out and fired a revolver, wounding Mr Rrnter in the forearm. The robber then ordered the driver, and three other passengers (k) stand ag.-dns* tho fence while he secured the mail bags. He warned the drives.' that if he attempted to return to tha Cliffs ha would be shot. The mail bags conicinod a quantity valuables, including packages of opals. In his hurry the robber overlooked several valuable parcels of opals which were in the boot of the co-ich, The robber made tho driver hand oVtff a knife which ho used in opening the letters, pocketing notes and other valuables promiscuously, the rifling occupy, ing over an hour, during which is bicyclist rode up. The robber made him stand with the others till he had finished when he placed the loot in an empty mail bag and rode away on the bicycle. September 3. The mail robber made a rich haul, the enact amount of which is not known, but it !a estimated at from £9OO io £I4OO i ll notes, and £SOO worth of opalo and jewellery. Tho loot included thro# parcels of opals. There is no bank Whits Cliffs, arnd this necessitates the forwarding of largo amounts by post. An attempt was rondo to rob the mail some time ago, but failed. The robber allowed the passengers to go soot free. One oj thorn carried a largo sum. Mr Banter, after being shot, and expecting to be overhauled, hnog a bag containing £2O on the horse's Lames, and it remained unnoticed. The tracks of the robber's bicycle were traced to the back of Whiio Cbfffl. He had dismounted under a verandah, then had evidenoly shouldered the bicycle and hidden tbs tracks. Tho bicyclist who came up whilo the robbery was proceeding, has been detained by the pol'co. A lady pasae.-.ger was allowed io remain oa the box scab with her dress and rag covering tho boot of the coach containing parcels of opals. Pedraim, the driver of the coach, AaU been arrested on suspicion of being eon* earned in the robbery. He was acting a* substitute for the regular driver.