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.'