Friday, September 2, 2016

Postal theft on a coastal steamer in 1877


Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld.), Tuesday 13 February 1877, page 4

Colonial News

What may be termed the denouement of a robbery has just come to our (Bulletin) knowledge. Some time since, the post-office receiving Box on board one of the coasting steamers was relieved of its contents; and among the purloined letters there were two — one of which, from a clergyman, contained a cheque which might have been cashed; the other, from a gentleman named P — , contained a crossed cheque, which was valueless to the thief. The robbery was reported to the police, who failed to unravel the mystery; but not long afterwards the rev. gentleman in question received an anonymous letter, apparently from the thief, who returned the cheque, and wrote as follows 'Take a fool's advice, and don't post money loose on board a steamer. I thought to make a haul, but only got your cheque and P — s crossed cheque. All your friends' letters fell into my hands, (signed.) ‘Here’s Luck.'