From Western Post, 30 March 1861: DETERMINED HIGHWAY ROBBERY The following is an authenticated account of the daring robbery committeed on Mr SHAW, gold buyer for the Bank of New South Wales. Mr SHAW, having business to transact at Tambaroora, left his residence on the Meroo about five o'clock on Saturday, and proceeded to the Devil's Hole, where he met some miners who had just returned from Lambing Flat. After a short conversation with them he continued his journey. Having rode about six miles over the high ground, he was about cantering down a short gully thickly covered with low scrub and trees, when he heard the report of a pistol, and the next moment a ball passed close to his horse's head, which caused it to shy so much that it threw him, stunning him for a moment or so. Before Mr SHAW could recover himself, a man rushed out the scrub, held him on the ground by planting his knees upon his breast, and with a loaded pistol in hand dared him to speak or to attempt to move. A second man then appeared, who commenced searching Mr! SHAW. Having secured the booty, he decamped, taking with him a belt and revolver attached. When he got a short distance, he called out all right to the other man, who released Mr SHAW, and ordered him which way to take. Both fellows were provided with horses, which they had close at hand tied up to a tree. They, however, took the precaution to secure Mr SHAW's horse, saddle and bags, &c., so as to have a good start on the road. Mr SHAW hastened back to the Point and gave the necessary information to the police. A dispatch was likewise sent to Captain BROWNE, and to Mr OLIVER, the manager of the Branch Bank at Mudgee. Search was immediately made for the men. About two miles from the place where the robbery was committed, Mr SHAW's horse was found going home, minus the saddle bag and contents. Information was likewise sent to Bathurst and Sofala. Up to the present time, no intelligence has been received respecting the robbers. There was a report that they were taken near the Devil's Hole on Wednesday, but it has not been confirmed. A reward of £60 is offered for their apprehension. They are described as being about 5 feet, 8 inches in height, and square built. They had evidently taken every precaution to prevent detection, being closely masked, with hats slouched over their faces, and speaking in assumed tones. FIRE IN MARKET STREET On Saturday night, about 10 o'clock, a fire was discovered in one of the bed-rooms in the weatherboarded house occupied by Mr BRANSCOMBE, tinsmith. Fortunately it happened at a time when several parties were about; had it occurred somewhat later in the evening, the whole of the premises would probably have been destroyed. The fire is supposed to have occurred through one of the children, who was in bed, moving a candle which had been left burning on the table near. The whole of the furniture, clothes, &c., in the room were destroyed. The child, we are happy to state, escaped unhurt. ***END*** Annette Piper Please note: Every effort has been to transcribe the above information correctly, however errors may have inadvertently been made. Spelling of surnames/places as appears in original.