From Western Post, 5 January 1861: HIGHWAY ROBBERY On Christmas Day, about 9 o'clock in the morning, as John COOTE and Elijah and Benjamin COCKSHEAD, carriers of Morpeth, were proceeding on their way down the country, and when they were six or seven miles on the Cassilis side from Merriwa, they were suddenly attacked by three men, two of whom were armed with revolvers. The amount taken in cheques and bank notes was £71 15s 4d., together with a receipt of £44 of one of the Maitland Banks, drawn in favour of one of the persons robbed. The drawer of the cheques has been written to in order to stop payment. Although the occurrence took place so early in the day, and although it is understood the men made all haste to give information to the police at Merriwa, it was late before intelligence reached the police at Cassilis. Again, great apathy an indifference was displayed by the chief constable here in not using every exertion to hasten the departure of the police in search. Had it not been at the repeated request of constable KNIGHT (an active and meritorious officer) to receive instructions to get off in pursuit, it is probable that after a few verbose speeches from the chief all pursuit would have "ended in smoke". It is reported that SCOTT, the constable from Merriwa, go so drunk that it was impossible for him to do his duty, the truth of which it is the office of the Cassilis chief to inquire into. However, as SCOTT may feel inclined to apply the tu quoque argument, it is probable that the chief has already come to the conclusion to "let sleeping dogs lie". It is to be! regretted that wherever the fault may lie, the robbers in the meantime have made their escape without affording the smallest chance for their apprehension. - Communicated. ***END*** More on this topic to come. Annette Piper Please note: Although every effort has been made to transcribe the above correctly, errors may have inadvertently been made. Spelling as it appears in original.