THE TRAGEDY AT WYAGDEN.  

(From a Correspondent of the Bathurst Free Press.)

Our quiet neighbourhood has been thrown into a state of great excitement, in consequence of Trooper Codrington, of the Gold Police being shot, at the top of Wyagden Hill.

It appears that Robert Codrington, trooper in the Gold Police, left the Police Barracks, at Cheshire Creek, where he was stationed, about 8 o’clock on Tuesday morning last, for the purpose of meeting the Gold Escort coming from Sofala; and by his not returning that day, some excitement was caused ; it was conceived that he had ‘received some fresh orders, and had gone on to Sofala. On the Wednesday morning his horse was discovered at the stable, with the saddle on, but without his bridle. So soon as this was known, a search was commenced along the road, but no traces could be discovered. Night coming on, instructions were given, that as many horsemen as could be procured, should be ready by daylight the following morning to renew the search. Just as we were on the point of starting from Wyagdon, our doubts were set at rest, by the arrival of Sergeant Major Giles, of the Gold Police, who communicated that the body of Robert Codrington had been found   in a gulley on the top of Wyagden Hill. We immediately   hastened to the spot, and found that the trooper bad been shot on the road, and the body dragged down the   gulley some distance. The scene was most heartrending,   and became still more so by the presence of his wife, a fine young woman in the bloom of life, with her baby   about twelve months old, who had hastened to the spot   so soon as the bad tidings had been made known to her, anxious to see the last of her affectionate husband.

On the arrival of Dr. Andrews from Sofala, who had been sent for, an inquiry was instituted in the presence of J. B. Suttor and Hugh Bridson, Esquires, magistrates.

It was found necessary to remove the body to the nearest public-house, for the purpose of a post-mortem examination.   Evidence was taken to show that the deceased had been shot, and that six buck shots had passed through the heart. From inquiry it would appear that a plot had been made to waylay the mail, for the purpose of robbing it, and Codrington happening to pass up   first, he was shot by the supposed robbers, and while they were getting him out of the way, the mail must have passed down in safety. It was quite evident from the way the bushes were placed, forming a sort of ambush just on the top of the first point, where the mailman always pulled up to put on the drags, and the guards generally get off, that the intention must have been to have shot the guards, for the purpose of robbing the mail only ; as one pound two shillings was found in Codrington’s pockets, which was all the money he was supposed to have had about him. The carbine and pistols were taken away.

The unfortunate victim of this lawless outrage was a young man of high respectability, and descended from a very high family, who have always stood foremost in the defence of their country ; and he was very much respected in this neighbourhood.

We very much regret that the serious illness of Mr. Johnson, the Gold Commissioner, has prevented his   ready aid and presence on this melancholy occasion.

Every praise is due to Sergeant Major Giles and his troopers, in making every exertion to discover the body ; and it is to be hoped that his well-known experience will enable him and his troopers to discover the perpetrators of this awful murder.

After this tragical sacrifice to mistaken policy and   economy, it is to be hoped that the Government will see the necessity of increasing the gold police force, as well as the rural police in the neighbourhood of the diggings.

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Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal

Saturday  9 January 1858            page 4 of 4

MURDER OF TROOPER CODRINGTON.               Public Meeting.

At a Public Meeting held at the ” Carrier Inn, ”  Bathurst, W. Hall Palmer, Esquire –  P.M. in the Chair, it was proposed by W. H. Suttor, Esquire, seconded by W. Lee, Esquire :-

” 1st. That the recent barbarous murder of Trooper Codrington, at Wyagden, imperatively calls for some movement upon the part of the public in the district, having for its object, the discovery of the murderer or murderers. Carried.  Proposed by A. Campbell, Esquire, seconded by J. B. McGuyigan, Esquire.

” 2nd. That a public Subscription be at once set on foot, the amount of which shall be offered as a         reward to any person or persons who shall give such information as shall lead to the conviction of the parties concerned in the perpetration of the murder. Carried.    Proposed by R. Y. Cousins, Esquire, seconded by Mr. D. Kenna.

” 3rd. That John Blight Suttor, Esquire, be requested to act as Treasurer, and A. G. Shadforth,                   Esquire, as Secretary, and that they shall at as earl a date as practicable, cause to be published in such of the colonial newspapers as they may deem advisable, the amount of the reward offered. Carried.

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