ROBBING THE MAILS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 868, 27 January 1879, Page 2

ROBBING THE MAILS.

Auckland, January 25. A circupastgjice hag just come to light which leacts'to 'the belief that y<?bbing the mail has beep practised here', at least in one instance, not ip more. A few days ago the .occupier of a farm at Point Chevalier, about 13 mpes westward of

Auckland City, found a mail bag, open, and washed up on the beach. On looking into it he found a number of letters which appeared to have heen opened, or had opened of their own accord by water. A considerable number of the letters contained cheques, drafts, &c., for different sums. The post-office authorities were communicated with, the bag taken possession of, and itß contents carefully examined. The result of the examination has not yet been disclosed, but it is understood that the bags found had been sent from the Thames. The matter ha 9 been placed in the hands of the police. At present it is not known by what steamer the bag had been sent—whether the Rotomahana or Enterprise. The postmaster at the Thames has been summoned to Auckland. An investigation into the matter is proceeding. It is conjectured that the bag has been opened by some means either in Auckland Harbor or on the way up from the Thames, and after a search and probably the abstraction of a letter, or letters, had been thrown overboard, and with the flood at the time would probably be carried to the spot, where it was picked up. An enquiry will also be made -to ascertain whether any bags from other outdistricts are missing, and to learn whether or not it is one of a series of cases. The Post Office Department is evidently remiss in not taking possession of the mail bag immediately upon arrival, it being generally understood that the bag coming from the Thames with the steamer lay late at night or was not removed until Monday morning.