ROBBERY ON TRAIN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18208, 2 October 1933, Page 9

ROBBERY ON TRAIN

MAILS LOOTED BAG 8 FROM MELBOURNE BRISBANE, Sopl. 22. A daring mail bag robbery took place on tlio Bowen line, between Bowen and Homo Hill, late on Wednesday night. When a, goods train known as “the midnight horror” arrived at Home Hill about 1.30 a.m. to-day it was found that tho baggage van, which contained only mail hags, had been forced open, and about 20 bags of ordinary and registered letters and packages ripped open with a. knife, and the contents strewn over tho floor of the van.

It is stated that the door of tlie van was securely locked when the train left Bowen for Townsville, and the discovery of tho robbery was not made until the train reached Home Hill, distant about 60 miles. Tho train stopped at various places, and passed through long stretches of lonely country, so the thieves had amplo opportunity to carry out their job leisurely. The Ayr police were notified of tho loss. They intercepted the train at Ayr; conducted a careful search, and arrested seven “train jumpers.” The police are in possession of certain information which they hope will lead to the discovery of the culprits. Until particulars are available from the postal authorities at Brisbane it is impossible to compute tho extent of the loss. According to latest information, 21 bags received tlie attention of the thieves and there is little doubt that, a fair parcel of booty was obtained. Of tho bags which wero opened, four were from Melbourne to Cairns, two from Melbourne to Innisfail, two from Melbourne to Townsville, five from .Sydney to Cairns, five from Sydney to Townsville, one from Bowen to Cairns, and two from Melbourne to the north-western centres. Postal officials and members of tlie C.l. Branch were busy at the central station when the train reached Townsville fliis morning, and eight bags were so arranged as fo permit their being forwarded to their destination (being one front Melbourne to Cairns, two for Innisfail, and five from Sydney to Cairns). Tlie remaining thirteen bags are being conveyed to Townsville post office for examination.