Gentleman Jack, Bushranger by Don Delaney — Read

Sir Francis Maynard took to the brandy bottle seriously after he had read the communication which arrived in a large blue envelope from Sydney soon after the robbery of the mail coach and the loss of the box of sovereigns consigned to the Bank of Australia.

The Minister wrote in terms of extreme displeasure. It appeared that the bank authorities threatened to sue the Government for the amount of their loss, on the ground that they had applied for a police escort for the gold and had been refused it by Sir Francis Maynard. It was the opinion of the Cabinet that the commissary had been guilty of a grave error of judgment in the matter and that he had provided insufficient police protection for the travelling public. If he wanted extra constables he had only to ask for them. The Cabinet were of of opinion that the Goulburn police district was not managed with proper care and efficiency. In conclusion, the Minister hinted plainly that only one more chance would be given to the commissary responsible for the maintenance of public order. The discovery of the murderer of McIntyre and the recovery of the stolen sovereigns would alone excuse his defaults. The Minister expressed the hope that Sir Francis would repair his neglect by promptly performing his duty in respect of those two matters. He intimated that the Cabinet expected some definite result within 14 days, otherwise it would be his painful duty, &c., &c.