Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893), Tuesday 15 December 1863, page 3


MURRURUNDI.

Sale of the Blandford Toll Bar-This day the "pike" at Blandford was offered for public competition at the police-office, the C.P.S. acting as auctioneer (by-the-by, a very unfair proceeding when there are licensed auctioneers in the town). Intending purchasers, with their bondsmen, were there-a goodly number. The "toll" was knocked down to Mr. Hugh O'Neill for £684, seventy-two pounds less than the sum obtained last year. Mr. O'Neill's bondsmen were the Rev. John James Nash, of Murrurundi, and Mr. James Tees, of the Barwin.

House Robbery.-This day a man named Barny Mcwilliams, alias Walk-about Barny, was apprehended by our indefatigable senior sergeant of police, Mr. Sheridan, charged with robbery in a dwelling-house at the Bald Ridge, near Scone. This man is a notorious offender. There is not a hut on the Upper Hunter that is not known to him, and long has he evaded the vigilance of the police. In his swag-a heavy one-was a great lot of clothing, new and old, for which, no doubt, owners will be found. It appears by some means Mr. Sheridan's little boy heard the police were on the look-out for for Barny, and the lad while in the bush happened to fall in with him, and at once, from the description he had heard the police give, followed Barny stealthily to a hut on Campbell's Creek ; and as soon, as he saw him sling his tin pot, made away home and told his father, who at once proceeded to the spot and apprehended the man.

Surveying Parties at The Page -During the past two days two surveying parties have been at Murrurundi Mr. Darby, employed by the executors of the late Peter Brodie, and the other party (Mr. Bowman) by Mr. Dangar. It appears by the survey now taken that heretofore fearful blunders have been made, which will compel many parties here to go to law. The report of the surveyors now here has caused much consternation among the inhabitants who have land here.

Dec. 12.