ROBBERY AT THE POST OFFICE.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 171, 11 March 1896, Page 2

ROBBERY AT THE POST OFFICE.

OVER £230 STOLEN

An extensive robbery took place between last night and this morning at the local Post Office. On getting up at 7 o'clock this morning Mr Dansey, postmaster, missed his keys and noticing the room door ajar suspected that something was amiss and at once hastened to the office. On entering the building lie found the lower centre pane of the window facing Fenton-st broken. This enabled the burglars (for it is presumed there was more than one) to undo the catch, enter the operating room, and so gain access to Mr Dansey's office where the safe stands. The keys of the safe were in the lock, but the two cash boxes which contained coin and securities were absent. The registered packets, stamps, postal n' tes, &e., and a small am unt of silver im ney were left. Const Whelan, wh" is acting here in Const Murray's absence, was notified, and an examination of the ground made. While doing so Mr McNamara, one of the town surfacemen, came up und slated that there was surely something wrong ns he had found several things which he could not account for in the street at the end of Robertsoil's paddock about 400 yards from the Post Office. He took Mr Dansey and the Constab'e to the spot and there they found the cash boxes lyin»r open with registered letters torn open and scattered about. Further examination showed that when the contents were negotiable they had been taken and when not either torn up or left. A pneket of £'2o in notes had been overlooked and was found there. The keys of the Courthouse which had been in the pocket of Mr Dansey's clotlics were also found near by. Mr Dansey last night attended an informal meeting *jf the members of the Board, called for the piuposeof discussing sanitary matters, at Mr Maltroy'a house and walked home in company with Messrs Gerhard Mueller and S T Brent, at about 10.30. Shortly afterwards he jetired to rest, and was not disturb. d uuiing the night though his room must, have been entered while he slept. . he total loss in cash the property of the Po*t Office is over £l3O in gold, notes and cluqins. The value of the negotiable cunttnts of the registered letters is not yet known, hut it is estimated at considerably over£loo. Seeing that the matter is in the hands of the police it would be inadvisable to give further particulars in the meantime.