PHEENY 1841

Country News - Great numbers of emus are seen in the district of the Upper Hunter, having migrated from the interior on account of the excessive drought. - The loss of sheep and lambs in the northern districts during the last twelve months, is estimated at 70,000. - From Scone the same complaints continue to arrive. Pheeny the bushranger, who had been lately apprehended here, and convicted at Muswellbrook, contrived to effect his escape from the constables, by whom he and a party of other criminals were being escorted. Both the constables who formed the escort had left the party unguarded, and the arms of one of them within their reach; Pheeny seized the opportunity, got hold of a loaded gun, and disarmed the other constable - obliged the drayman to strike off their fetters, pillaged the dray, and made off. The whole party, however, are said to be again in custody. - Colonial Observer 6th January 1842