From Western Post, 13 July 1861: Police Court, 9 July Continued.... John HUGHSON (alias Brummy) was charged by the Chief Constable (Mr HARDY) with having in his possession postage stamps to the amount of £12 10s. Mr BRODRIBB watched the proceedings on behalf of the Post Office authorities. C HARDY said between 12 and 1 o'clock he had information that the prisoner, who was in the police yard, had in his possession a large number of postage stamps. He asked him if such was the case; he replied "yes" and took a roll out of his breast. He said he had got them from a man at Guntawang, with whom he had exchanged a horse. Mr BRODRIBB enquired of Mr HARDY if he had, in his official capacity, received information of the mail having been robbed, and if he knew the date. Mr HARDY replied in April. John George DICKSON, son of Mr DICKSON of Market-street, said the man whom he knew as "Brummy" came to him at the store about 12 o'clock, and asked him if he were busy, as he wanted him to serve him with some goods. He replied "yes" and that he could not leave the desk. He then said he supposed his brother had told him that he wanted to sell a parcel of postage stamps, which he produced. Upon expressing his surprise at the quantity, and asking him how he came by them, he replied that a man had called at his place with a horse, which was knocked up, and that he had exchanged it for one of his own, the man giving him £2 in money and the parcel of stamps, which he (the stranger) valued at £3. He (witness) said, why you have more than £3 worth here, and recollecting that the mail had been robbed, asked him the name of the man, and if he gave a receipt for the horse; prisoner replied the horse was branded WH and that the man was rather short and had light curly hair. He then! advised him to take the stamps to Mr HARDY, which he objected to, but consented to give them to the police magistrate. W JONES, the driver of the mail, said he should know the man again who robbed the mail. Upon being told to look round the court and see if he was present, he did so, but could not see anyone like him. The man who robbed the mail had his face masked. Mr BRODRIBB applied for a remand for the purpose of communicating with the Postmaster General. The office had sent certain stamps to Mudgee, for which they charged the Mudgee Postmaster, and which were stolen at the time of the late mail robbery. The case was adjourned for a week. Bail to be taken on the following day (prisoner £100 and two sureties of £50 each) to enable the police to search prisoner's residence. John PRICE appeared to answer a charge of a breach of the Towns Police Act. Having on the 1st instant left a team of bullocks at CROSSING's store whilst he went to look out for a paddock, when he came back he found they were gone and in the hands of the police. Fined 5s and costs 2s 6d. William SIZE, charged with using insulting language in the public streets. Constable CAMPBELL proved serving the summons on defendant personally, who replied "very well". SIZE not appearing to answer the charge, a warrant was issued for his apprehension. ***END*** N.B. All care has been taken to transcribe the above accurately, however errors may have been inadvertently made. Spelling of names/places should be as appears in original. Transcribed from microfilm available from the State Library. Annette Piper Coolah NSW