Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article625757
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ROBBERY.
On Thursday night, between the hours of seven and eight, the dwelling-house of M. Breeze, at the corner of Back Row, was broke into, and robbed of a Desk containing 24/-. or thereabouts in cash, viz. 12l. 10s, in Dollars, 3 Guineas, 3 Pieces of Gold, value 2l. each, and some Copper Coin ; as also an Order on Captain Bishop, drawn by Captain Park in favour of Mary Breeze for 20l. and an Agreement for the Purchase of her house.
The Robbery was effected by entering the premises at the back during her absence from home: the frame of the door was broke by means of a prise, or purchase ; and although a quantity of wearing apparel and other pro- perty lay open in the bed-room, yet nothing but the desk was taken away.
Information being immediately lodged with the Chief Constable, he posted watchmen in the back brush during the greater part of the night ; the vigilance of one of whom, we
have too ample reason to conclude, occasioned
his most barbarous and dreadful
MURDER.
JOSEPH LUKER, a Constable, whose time of duty commenced at twelve o'clock, went off his post, as is conjectured, at or rather be- fore day-light, with a design of examining the brush behind Back Row ; but was shortly
afterwards found on the edge of the Road
leading to Farm Cove, a breathless Corpse, shockingly mangled, and with the guard of his cutlass buried in his brain ; the sheath
lay near the body; and his hat more than 20 yards distant. The wheel of a barrow was found near the spot, the carriage of which was traced to the yard of Sarah Laurence, at the opposite corner of Back Row, whose Skilling was inhabited by persons on whom suspicion of the Robbery had fallen.
The carriage of the Barrow appeared to be stained with blood : from which and other circumstances William Bladders, alias Ham bridge, was immediately apprehended, with several other suspected persons.
The velocity with which the necessary measures of Enquiry were adopted, could only be equalled by the Public Anxietv to discover the Perpetrators of the inhuman
act The New South Wales Corps were out under Arms, and blockaded the Town at every avenue, while the strictest search was made throughout ; and all persons of suspi-
cious character were thereby secured, and brought before the Coroner's Inquest, which assembled between the hours of nine and ten. John Harris, Esq. Surgeon of the New South Wales Corps, strictly attended the Enquiry, and inspected the Body ; as did also Thomas
Jamison Esq. Surgeon General, and Messrs. Mileham and Savage, Assistant Surgeons to
the Colony.
On the head of the deceased were counted Sixteen Stabs and Contusions ; the left ear was nearly divided ; on the left side of the head were four wounds, and several others on
the back of it.
The wretch who buried the iron guard
of the cutlass in the head of the unfortunate man had seized the weapon by the blade, and levelled the dreadful blow with such fatal force, as to rivet the plate in the skull, to a depth of more than an inch and a half.
The Search was animated by the Presence of HIS EXCELLENCY ; the LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR was also present ; every Offi- cer, whether Civil or Military, exerted him- self in endeavouring to trace the Assassins.
The Coroner's Inquest, which was com- posed of Twelve very reputable Inhabitants, after an Enquiry of Five Hours returned a
Verdict of WILFUL MURDER against Wil- iam Bladders, alias Hambridge, and some other Person or Persons unknown The Pri- soner was consequently committed to close Custody, and several others were detained on suspicion.
A man was seen lurking about Cockle Bay in the afternoon, whose appearance was such as to create a strong suspicion of his being accessary to the above crimes. He was des- cribed to be rather tall, wore a blue jacket, and then had a small bundle with him. Par-
ties were immediately in quest of him, and a Trooper was dispatched to Parramatta with
the Hu and Cry. Avenging Heaven di- rects the Hand of Justice, and the MANES of the Deceased inspires us with Indignation
and Resentment !
On Wednesday night, between the hours of nine and ten, the house of William Hold- ness, at Parramatta, was broke into and robbed of a Trunk containing sundry articles of Wearing Apparel, and other property. The Trunk was next morning found in the Burial Ground, but the best of the property had been taken out ; of which a Gown was afterwards picked up in a garden in Parra-
matta.