8 May 1863

The Burrangong Star has been informed that Gardiner and Gilbert, in company with John O’Meally and Lowry, stuck up, on the 21st a store belonging to Mr. Barnes, at a small village about forty miles from Burrangong, on the Wagga Wagga road, and robbed it of about £100 worth of goods. They had pack-horses with them, which they loaded w ith the stolen property. All of them were well armed and mounted, Gardiner especially, who had a splendid horse.

26 May 1863

JOHNNY GILBERT AT BURROWA.

This morning, about ten o’clock, our little village was thrown into a state of excitement by a horseman galloping into it and reining up his pant- ing steed at the police station. He handed a letter to the officer in command (Swan), the perusal of which caused all to be bustle; for instant boot and saddle was the order, and in a very short time horses were equipped, men armed and mounted, and they and the messenger all rode briskly in the direction of Burrowa.

Upon making the necessary enquiries, and proceeding to the scene of operations, I ascertained that a stick- ing-up case had occurred, which for coolness and effrontery eclipses all the late affairs of that class.

It is well known that Mr. Allen Hancock, of Burrowa, has had for some time in training for the races a horse cilled “ Jacky Morgan,” a provincial celebrity and a great favourite in the betting circle.

About seven o’clock this morning, as jockey and miner, Harry Wilson, was giving the horse his customary diurnal exercise near the Burrowa police barracks, a ponchoed horseman rode up to him, whom Wilson immediately recognised to be no other than the notorious Johnny Gilbert, whom Wilson has known for years.

Gilbert instantly told the jockey to dismount, as he wanted the racer, but Wilson refused to do so, when Gilbert drew a revolver and placing it close to Harry’s skull, said, “Off at once, or take the consequences;” Wilson replied, “For God’s sake, Johnny, don’t ruin a poor fellow,” but all to no purpose, for Gilbert took the horse, and along with it a new jockey’s saddle and bridle, Wilson’s private property, which he had purchased only the day before.

After Gilbert had cantered away, the utfortunate and almost broken-hearted jockey (who by-the-by was to have raced the horse this very day) made all haste to his employer with the dismal intelligence. Mr. Hancock lost no time in vain regrets, but instantly ordered one of his best horses to be saddled, and he in the interim loaded a double barrelled gun, took leave of his wife and family, and rode off, declaring most solemnly that he would never return alive without the stolen horse, and from what I know of his temperament, I’m pretty certain, if he drops across Gilbert, that he’ll keep his word.

Un- doubtedly the “bush telegtaph” must have been again at work, otherwise how would Gilbert have known the exact time and spot to have seized the racer, and that within rifle shot of the town, and within a stone’s throw of the police barracks itself. The daring sang froid shown in this affair fully proves the great extent of harbourage given to this scoundrel and his myrmidons.

For him to dare almost to enter the town of Burrowa itself, where, as at Marengo, two out of every three know him by sight. I almost forgot to mention that this morning, about two hours after the previous robbery, the said Gilbert rode up to two drays, about three miles from Marengo (which were on the turn off road, near the Calabash), and told one the carriers to stop and lower down a gin case, break it open, and hand him three or four bottles.

The carrier hesitated, when Gilbert laughed derisively, threw open his poncho, and showed his belt bristling with revolvers, and also pointing signi- ficantly into the bush, thereby intimating that he had plenty of assistance near at hand, which, no doubt, he had, for it is my fixed impression that Gilbert is now at the head of the Wedden and Abercrombie band, and that Gardiner is leading another detach- ment in the Jingerra range, whose tracks sergeant Brennan was on the other day.

At all events, they are now possessed of some splendid horseflesh, three stolen racers, viz., Mr. Skillicorn’s, of Bathurst, Mr. Roberts’ of Currawang, and Mr. A. Hancock’s of Burrowa.

9 June 1863

YOUNG. Monday,

Last night there was a general attack made by bushrangers on several stores situated on the Main Creek. O’Brien’s and M’Carthy’s stores were stuck up.

M’Connell’s it as also broken into, but before they succeeded in obtaining an entrance, the bush- rangers actually fired sixteen bullets through the gal- vanized iron with which the store is built.

A con- siderable sum of money and stores were taken. Hef- fenan’s public-house, distant about five miles, and Regan’s, about twelve miles, were afterwards visited. Gilbert and O’Mealey were recognised amongst the mob, which consisted of six or seven men.

22 JUne 1863

THE GILBERT BRIGADE.

These lawless desparadoes are carrying on their depredations with such barefaced im- pudence in the district surrounding Lambing Flat, that people begin to imagine that the police endeavour to their utmost to avoid an encounter with them.

The last exploit that has occurred, or rather that we have heard of, is the entrance of two of the gang, well armed, upon the premises of Mr. James Roberts, at Currawang, near Murrumburrah, on last Thursday evening, at seven o’clock.

They forced an entrance into the stables, and rode off with two race- horses, Mickey Hunter and Chinaman. It is only a short time since the latter animal was stolen, and subsequently recovered by Inspector Shadforth. Gilbert seems de- termined to have his body guard well mounted. – Yass Courier, June 17.

7 September 1863

THE MURDER OF MR. BARNES OF MURRUMBURRAH. Inquest on the Body. [FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]

On Monday, the 31st an inquest waa held on the body of Mr. Barnes, at the station of Mr. Alex- ander M’Kay, Wallenbeen, before the coroner of the district, Mr. Robert Falder.

James Brown, being duly sworn, stated : I am in the employ of Mr. M’Kay ; I am a bullock-driver and live at Wallenbeen. Yesterday morning, about half past 11, two men carne to my hut, which is situated a little off the road leading from Murrumburrah to Cootamundry, and told my wife to get them something to eat, which she did.

On my arrival they demanded my hat, which I gavo them, seeing they were armod with revolvers ; they then demanded my boots, but they would not fit them ¡ they tried on two pair, they were both too small ; one of them was going to cut them, when the other said, “Oh, never mind, we’ll get plenty at M’Kay’s” ; at this time two men on horseback passed a short distance off, when they said,

“ We’ll go and stop them, and get a saddle ;” they then left my hut in pursuit of tte two men, having only taken my hat. I noticed when they carno that they had two horses, but only one saddle— one horse having only a rug and circingle on ;

I did not see thom overtake the men ; soon after they were out of my sight, I heard the re- port of firearms ¡ I heard the report, as near as I can remember, about five or six times;

I then saw two men, one galloping after the other and firing ¡ I did not go up to the station till tent for Mr. M’Kay ¡ on my ariiv.il I saw Mr. Hurries, storekeeper, of Murrumburrah, being carried on a sheet of birk by four men ; he appeared to be quite dead ;

I did not see the bubhrangeis after they were in pursuit of the »an ; they askt-d me, when at my hut, if I had a suudle ;

I told them no ; they also n&ked; me about the horses in the paddock-if they were of any account ; I replied I did not know ; they also asked if M’Kay had a good saddle ;

one of them said he was sure to have a bunging one j about an hour and a half after three mounted police and a tracker arrived, and I was immediately sent to Wombat to acquaint the police, and give information to the coioner. john 11.

Hanlow, being sworn, stated : I am HBBi&tant; storekeeper in the employ of Mr. Barnes’ son, at Coo’amundry ;

on Sunday last I was riding with Mr. Barnes, from Murrumburrah to Coota- mundry ; when opposite M’Kíy’s stockyard I saw lortes standing at the door of a’ hut ; near the dam I said to Mr. Barnes “ that looks suspicious ;” shortly after Johnny Meally, whom I kn-iw and instantly re- cognised, galloped up to us, and said to me “ I know jon, you b-,” and to Mr. Barnes, at the Baie time pointing a revolver nt him, *’ bail np you b— too ;”

Meully, addressing Barnes, said, “is that a good horse?” to which Barnes did not reply ; lie then said “ get off, I want that horse, sadd’e, and bridle ; Barnes then said “is that ?what you menu r” ;

O’Meally said “ you b-if you slir I’ll put daylight through you ;” Barnes turned away and galloped off towards Mr. M’Kay’s house ; O’Meally tired after he had got away about fifteen yards, and then went full gallop after him;

he fired again as toon as he had time to cock his revolver ; they got out of my sight and I heard three shots more fired ; the other man stood over me with his revolver ‘ codtod, and ordered me to dismount; I got off ray hoife and he said “if you stir au inch I’ll do the same to jou “ ;

he ordered me up to M’Kay’s, leading my horte-with him, and said he would give me my horse, saddle, and bridle buck again directly. During this time I saw Mr. Barnes come galloping down the hill, lie sat looBely on his horae, as if wounded ; he was followed by O’Meally, who shouted out,

“ Will you stop now, you old — ;” they again got out of my eight, and I heard more snots fired ; O’Meally afterwardB came towards me, and I siid, “Whereis Mr, Barnesr” he replied, “He’s down ia the gully there ;” I said “Oh, you have shot poor Mr. Barnes ;” he said

“ Oh, no ; he full off against a tree ¡” on going down to look for Mr. Barnes, I found hiinlyingon his back ; bis horse waa gone; he was not dead ihen, but unable to speak ¡ in a few minutes he Orew a heavy sigh, and died. O’Meally was then up at tlie store ; the other mai was gone ;

I could -. identify both men perfectly well; O’Meally had previously ttuck up the store 1 am employed at on the 16th of last May ; he was very black and dirty on Sunday, and looked different to what he did when he stuck up the store ; then he was very smart and clean ; neuher Mr. Barnes . nor myself had arms or money on us ; one bill passed through the brim of Mr. Barnes’ hat, but missed his head.

I Alexander M’Kay, being duly sworn, Btated : I am a squatter, and reside at Wallenbeen ; on Sunday n orung, about half past eleven o’clock, I heard the «port of firearms close to my house ;

I went to the back of my house and heard a second report ; shortly . a horseman galloped into the yard followed by another about twelve yards behind him ; I thought at firit the man was a bushranger aud the one who followed a ptliceman; on crossing the yard I hiard him shout out,

“ Stand, you b-.”between the two gateways and the back of my house, about eighty feet, the man in pursuit fired his revolver three times. On pasting the Becond gateway I recognised the man who fled as Mr. Barnes, storekeeper, of Murrumbur- rah, and called to him to stop, to which ho did not comply, nor did he speak ; his reins were quite loose at the time, and he seemed to sit quite loose in the saddle;

he then galloped towards the stock-yard, . about 600 yards from the house ; after getting near the stock-j »rd he returned towards the house, but fell from his hoise, about half way between the yard and the houBe j Barnes’ man come to me and said that Barnes was killed by O’Meally;

I asked him if he knew it was O’Meally, and he s jid yes ; I then pro- ceeded with him to co aud see Barnes, and had scarcely gone fitty yards before I was stopped by the man I had seen pursuing Barnes ; ne asked me my name, and I told him M’Kay.; he asked if I had a store j I said yes ; 1 atked him if Mr. Barnes was dead ; he replied, “I don’t tbink he is-he struck against a tree.” I replied,

“ I’ll go down and see ; “ buche said, “No, I want boots, coat, and hat for my mite, for ho lost them last night in a skirmish with the police.” I offered him the key of the store, saying I must ga and see Barnes ; he said,

“ No, you must go with me.” I then asked him to allow Barnes’ maa to go and see after his master, to which he agreed ; he got the anieles he wanted from the store, and then asked me if I had good horses ; I said no-the bushrangers had taken mv best ones ; he said, “ Yea, I had your race . horse ‘Chance.’

“ I then asked bim his name, and he .said O’Meally; Barnes’ man returned, and said he could not find his master; ho was then told by O’Meally where he would find him; he started «gun, and we followed; on reaching the place I saw Bar nea quite dead ; O’Meally said

“ I am Borry for him-it was his own fault-he ought to have stood, and he would not have been shot ;” he was then catriedupto my house; I believe Barnes’ horse was taken by the bushrangers ; tis rnan’B horse was left; I sent information to the police as soon as I possibly could. Tho inquest was adjourned till the following day. Tuesday, 1st Septbmbeb.

The jury were called and res worn. Alexander M’Kay being recalled, cominued his evidence : I did not examine his (Barnes) clothes to asccitain if he had any money upon him, nor do I know whether he was robbed after he fell from his boree ;

I have seen the body since, aud observed time distinct bullet wounds, also a severe cut upon -his right temple, any of which might 1 think have caused his death ; the wound on his temple was pro- duced by his falling from his horse and coming in contact with a stump upon which I found some hair ; there wbb also a slight wound on his lip ;

I said to uie bushranger when he came up to me fitat, “I hope you have not shot poor Barnes ? “ Ho said, “Who is he ? “ and I told him ; when I stood with O Meally looking at the body of the deceased, his oate stood at a little distance off; I could identify the man Mho colled himself O’Meally ;

he was about five feet ten inches high, dark bair, with a good deal of colour in his face. No other evidence being offered, the coroner summed up the evidence and the jury found, “That deceased died from the effect of a gunshot wound, and »und a verdict of wilful murder against John U Meally.”

The determination of the bushrangers and this murder have caused a very great sensation here, Mr. I ?n&rncs; being greatly respected in the diitriet.

24 September 1862

BATHURST. “Wednesday, 5.30 p.m.

Gilbert, O’Meally, Ben Hall, Burke, and Vane stuck, up three troopers yesterday afternoon, on Mount Macquarie, near Carcoar, and took from them their arms and accoutrements.

The bushrangers tied the troopers to a trnee, sliipped of their jackets, and put them on in derision. After keeping them for two hours they returned their clothing and permitted them to go. These troopers had been sent out specially to capture the bushrangers.

30 September 1863

THE REIGN OF TERROR.

There can be no ignoring the fact that we are now living under a reign of terror such as never before prevailed in these districts, since they were first in- habited by the white man.

Half-a-dozen heartless, reckless, blood-thirsty scoundrels are masters of this western territory, and hold, at their good will and pleasure, the lives and properties of all our citizens who reside beyond the boundaries of a populous township.

Mere boys though they be, they are, be- yond all question, masters of the situation, and the fact is a deep disgrace to our civilisation. Just at the time that our most intelligent and respectable citizens assemble together in a monster mass to discuss the conditions of our future progress, and contend for the prize of a grand trunk line of railway, which, if decided in our favour, is to give us the leadership amongst the great districts of the colony, a few striplings, armed to the teeth, and surrounded with chevaux de frise of carbines and revolvers, sweep the country to our very doors, and carry on a wholesale system of plun- der altogether unparalleled in the history of New South Wales.

One unfortunate storekeeper, Mr Hosie, of Caloola Creek, has thus been deprived of money and property, we understand, at the rate of £700, at two different periods, and is brought to the verge of ruin, and, notwithstanding that the district is almost swarming with po- lice, their career appears to be one undisturbed series of successes so far, indeed, from the police keeping them in check, they have commenced appre- hending the police, and habitually hold them in the most thorough contempt.

In our last issue our Rock- ley correspondent gave a characteristic sketch of a week’s bushranging adventures of the Western ban- ditti, and the sort of services rendered by the police, We appear to be reduced to that normal condition of society in which a man is doomed to protect himself by his own strong arm or his trusty sword.

Law and authority are fast becoming powerless , and no an knows, who carries on business outside a township, how soon he may be stripped of his worldly posses- sions and ruined. There can be no concealing the fact that the evil is deep seated, and has taken, or is now taking, firm root in the soil.

The class to which Gil- bert and O’Meally belong number amongst its rising youth many budding bushrangers, who will assuredly be encouraged to take the road by the impunity which has marked the career of their predecessors.

There is a large population, bred and reared in the holes and corners of our district, who know little of honest labour, and core less for its moderate rewards. To moral restraints thev are utterly insensible, and are dead to any salutary influences but those of fear The law they regard as a tyranny, and its adminis- trators as tyrants, and are prepared, at any fitting or convenient time, to commence a career of violence and ciime And what, piay, is to prevent them? We hear, frequently of bushrangers camping within a few hours’ ride of Bathurst, and doing the coolest possible things. They evidently feel their security from harm, and care no more for the police than if they were so many gadflies.

It is time something were done, and if the Government cannot protect life and property, that the people do it themselves. With as full a regard for the law as any citizen in these dis- tricts, and as unflinching a determination to adhere to it, we are reluctantly driven to the conclusion that it is, in the commu- nity at least, powerless for protection.

Surely there are pluck and manhood sufficient in the young men of the West to defend their hearths and homes and to induce such a gathering as would hunt the mis- creants down, and bring those to justice who are filling the country districts with terror and alarm.

Without some auxiliary to our present police force, we have certainly little hope of a restoration of peace and security. Since the foregoing, which was penned for Satur- day’s issue, was committed to type, further intelli- gence has come to hand in reference to the doings of the bushtanging firm.

The jolly cut-throats who now direct the destinies of these regions, have flown off at a tangent and given their attention to higher game than they have hitherto pursued. They now aspire to magisterial society, – have super with Mr Loudon, J P , and after subjecting him to the ignominy of handcuffs, held a thieves’ jubilee in his presence. Having played out their game at Grubbenbong, and done a generous thmg in not strip- ping his house of all its valuables, they start for Mr Montague Rothery’s establishment at Limestone Creek, appropriate his champagne, quaff his brandy, and select from his saddle horses and saddlery just what suits them, jocosely remarking, we understand, to the proprietor, whilst all this business is being tran- sacted, that if he will send for the Carcoar police, they will put them in handcuffs and take them into town.

After remaining there several hours and completing their marauding enterprise, they start for Canowindra, have a night’s carouse at a public inn, rob a store, and pursue their way with a deliberateness which, in their estimation, argues a sense of perfect security, and a complete freedom from interference. And such is the game these ruffians have been playing during the last fortnight – camping, on one occasion, two nights in the same locality, and appropriating a settler’s hay for the feed of their horses.

In brief, we may state that during the time specified, this band of freebooters have, in the most public and deliberate manner, been preying upon the inhabitants of this district- despoiling them of their property, laughing the authorities to scorn, and in every prac- ticable and possible way, insulting the sacred form of justice !

Were the thing not gravely serious, it would be absolutely ludicrous. If our social life and com- mercial security were not involved, the whole thing would be a huge joke. And where, pray, whilst all this melancholy farce has been enacting, were our police detachments – superintendents and inspectors to boot ?

Whilst these reprobates were leisurely pursuing their infamous traffic through the country, with their ten or dozen horses, which, owing to the softness of the weather, could be easily tracked, where were the men who are paid to protect our property – Echo answers where ? – and the one universal impres- sion is, that they were looking for the bushrangers and praying that they might not find them ! We have no desire to deal unjustly by the police, but the whole business is now approximating to a crisis which can neither be ignored by the Government nor the country.

1 October 1863

Mr. PIDDINGTON moved the adjournment of the House with a view to call attention to the continued state of insecurity in which a large portion of the interior still remained.

Since the motion of the hon. and learned member for Orange on this question there had been no diminution whatever in the character or number of the offences committed in the Southern districts of the country.

A number of bushrangers appeared to travel about with impunity from one end of the country to the other; and the condition of the interior as regarded the insecurity of life and property was never equalled in any former period from 1788 to the pre- sent time.

It was unparalleled even in the times when every second man one met was a prisoner of the Crown. He would direct the attention of hon. members to a number of telegrams which had appeared in one of the morning journals.

These telegrams were in the main correct, and had not been contradicted. In the Sydney Morning Herald of the 25th September there was the following telegram, dated Bathurst, Thursday (24th) :— Hosie’s store, at Caloola, was stuck up again last evening, by five armed men, among whom were Gilbert, O’Meally, Burke, and Vane. They handcuffed Hosie and three or four other men with the handcuffs taken from the police the day before. They took all the property they could pack on their horses, and destroyed nearly all the rest, because Hosie had given some information to the police. They also stole some of Hosie’s horses, and shot others, because they could not catch them, and then proceeded to a public-house a short distance from Hosie’s, and remained till ten p.m.

Good information has just been received that the bushrangers were seen camped about fifteen miles from Bathurst three hours since. These scoundrels have been within twenty-five miles of this town, committing all kinds of depredations, during the last week, and it is firmly believed that the police, from their dilatory and sluggish proceedings, are afraid of them.

Information has reached here that the police and some bush- rangers had an affray yesterday, at Lambing Flat, and that two of the bushrangers were shot dead. The staement with regard to the shooting of bushrangers at Lambing Flat appeared to be doubtful, but if they were shot it must have been by some person whose house they had attempted to rob. The particulars of this telegram respecting the robbery of Hosie’s store at Caloola were confirmed by the Bathurst Times, which stated:— About five o’clock on Wednesday afternoon, Ben Hall, Gilbert, O’Meally, Burke, and Vane rode up to the stores of Mr. Hosie, at Caloola, and jumping off their horses surrounded the house. Three of them took up such a position as to command full range of the premises, while the other two entered the door. Mr. Hosie, who was in the shop, caught up a double-barrelled gun when he saw the men enter, under the impression that there were no other accomplices, and was about to raise it to his shoulder when he found that, besides the revolvers in the hands of the two ruffians, he was covered by the car- bines of their three mates outside. Finding resistance useless, he threw the weapon down, when without more ado they handcuffed him with the handcuffs taken from the police the day before. Some of the party then went to a blacksmith living opposite, and handcuffed both him and his mate, and next paid a visit to the village shoemaker, and treated him in a similar manner. They then returned to the store, driving their captives before them. A scene now commenced such as our informant states he never saw equalled. Mr. Hosie’s goods were thrown from the shelves, the whole store ransacked, and every thing turned upside down — the bushrangers appropriating and putting on one side every article they took a fancy to, or which was of any value, and wilfully destroyed what was of no use to them — by this means completely gutting the store, and consummating the ruin of their hapless victim. They said they did this because he had dared to give information to the police when he was formerly robbed, and they threatened, if he breathed a word about the present transaction, to blow out his brains the next time they visited him. They packed their booty in three-bushel bags, and, proceeding to Mr. Larnach’s paddock, which adjoined the store, endeavoured to capture some horses that were grazing in it. They managed to secure two (one belonging to Mr. Larnach and the other to Mr. Hosie), and being unable to catch the others, de- liberately shot them. Returning to the store, they packed the goods they had selected upon the two horses and another they had brought with them, and then adjourned to a public-house, a short distance off, where they remained carousing till ten o’clock at night. We have omitted to mention that the scoundrels robbed the blacksmith of £1 in cash, a saddle and bridle, a ham, and some bacon. Information was brought into town on Thursday night that the five villains were camped within fifteen miles of Bathurst. We found these five miscreants, not satisfied with robbing Hosie’s store a short time before, committing a second robbery, and not only that but wantonly destroying the property they did not take away, stealing two horses in the adjoining paddock and shooting those they could not catch. Such shameful depredations our expensive police force appeared totally powerless to repress. In the Herald of the 29th September appeared another telegram, under the head of Bathurst, as follows:— News has just reached here that Gilbert, O’Meally, Ben Hall, Burke, and Vane have stuck up Mr. John Loudon’s house, at Grubbinbong, near Carcoar. They handcuffed all the inmates while they searched the house for policemen they had been told were there. Finding none, they went to prosecute their search elsewhere. They said before leaving Mr. Loudon’s house that if any more troopers were sent from Bathurst they would capture them and take them in handcuffed to Carcoar. Making every allowance for this kind of boasting and brag- gadocio on the part of the bushrangers, it was quite clear that things here were the reverse of what they were else- where — the bushrangers going in search of the police, who were captured by, instead of capturing, the bushrangers. It was high time the House and the country set themselves to work to extirpate these ruffians, who appeared to treat the police as if they were of no value whatever. The next tele- gram was one that appeared in this morning’s paper, as followed:— On Saturday the five notorious bushrangers, Gilbert, Ben Hall, Burke, Vane, and O’Meally, stuck up Mr. Rothery’s house, at Limestone Creek, just as that gentleman was sitting down to din- ner. They handcuffed him, and ate his dinner, calling for cham- pagne. After dinner they played the pianoforte, and before leav- ing tried two or three horses, so as to select the best. The same night they went over to Canowindra, and robbed the stores of Mr. Robinson, taking away money and goods to a considerable amount. So that here was a body of ruffians prowling about the Western districts, robbing and doing just as they chose, within a radius of twenty miles of the large town of Bathurst, where a large force of police was stationed, and yet nothing was heard of the police. The whole Western district was thus in a state of uncertainty and disquietude, and how long was this state of affairs to continue ? The Police Act gave the Government power to engage any number of police they might think required for the preser- vation of the peace of the colony, and yet, notwithstanding this, the Government had shown themselves utterly unable to preserve the peace. He recollected that many hon. members had complained that the Police Act was objectionable because it established a semi-military police; but he should ask those hon. members to examine the Act, and then to say if there was anything in it that rendered imperative the establishing of a military police. Nothing of the kind was in the Act ; and if the Government had done anything towards that end, the Government must be responsible for it. If they had filled up the appointments with a number of persons unfit for their duty, it was the Government only who were responsible for it, since the House had given them carte blanche. The House had every reason to suppose that the Government would have had a due regard to the character of the men employed and to their fitness for their duty ; but if the Government had been so actuated how was it that those few bushrangers, not twenty in number altogether, had not been captured ? The conduct of the police was on many accounts to be regretted, and he was the more sorry for it from having given his warm support to the Police Bill when before the House. Only yesterday, for instance, a question was asked in this House in reference to the truth of a report that the police had burned down O’Meally’s house. The hon. Secretary for Lands had said they had done so. What right had they to do this? The man might have been a tres- passer, but what necessity was there for proceeding in this way ? This was not a likely way to conciliate the residents in the country. If they had been so imprudent as to com- mit this dastardly act, that alone was sufficient to account for much of the dissatisfaction manifested towards them. The paper he held in his hand contained a report which was equally discreditable to the police. It is headed “An Episode in the exploits of the Police,” and says— One day recently, while sub-inspector Brennan and Roberts were engaged in a tour of discovery in the neighbourhood of the Widden Mountain, they espied two men on horseback, who, having apparently observed the police, put spurs to their steeds and galloped off, as if desirous of avoiding closer contact. Brennan and Roberts immediately urged on their steeds, determined to overhaul the fugitives ; and, after a chase of between seven and eight miles, pulled them up, when they found themselves the victims of a very silly lark. Annoyed at the sell that had been practised on them, they did not leave without giving the foolish fellows a Rowland for their Oliver. In these days of bushranging it is somewhat dangerous to indulge in “larks,” and so did the promoters of this one find out to their cost. And what did this indicate ? That two persons, on the road, seeing the inspectors, fled from them, imagining them, no doubt, to be bushrangers. The police chase and overtake them, and give them a Rowland for their Oliver, or in other words, a thorough beating. And was this the way to conciliate the country residents ? [Mr. GRAY : You have no authority for say- ing that they did so.] It appeared to him that something of the kind took place; and as the men had a perfect right to ride away if they thought proper, and were guilty of no crime in so doing. He would desire to see the police con- ciliate the respect of the country, but this they would not do if they violated the law in the way they had done in these two instances. Nor would such a course of proceedings be for a moment sanctioned, or even tolerated, by the Ministry. It could not be denied that this House had con- ferred ample power on the Government, and had also given them ample pecuniary means for securing the peace of the country. He had made a calculation of what the police really did cost and he had found that last year £225,000 was voted in the Estimates-in-chief for the cost of police independent of gaols, during the present year. He could not for the life of him understand how, with this large force of police, these miscreants who were doing so much injury to the colony could not be overtaken. He asked the House to well consider this question, and to endeavour, in idea, to place themselves in the same position as these residents of the country. How would they feel under such circumstances ? A Sydney storekeeper could go from one end of the city to the other without the dread of being shot at on the high road, and in the broad noonday ; but that was not the case in the country districts of the South and West. He could leave his store without the fear of its being robbed, but it was not so in the interior. How would they like to be shot down on the road — to have their homes invaded, and their meal eaten before their eyes, or to have their places of business plundered in broad day, not once, but twice within a few days if he should be so rash as to give information to the police? He sincerely hoped the House would urge the Government to do something without delay for the effectual repression of that large amount of crime now so prevalent in the country. He should really like to hear what it was that Captain McLerie, the Inspector-General, was doing in the country and what he had done there for the repression of crime since he went up from Sydney. (Hear, hear) He (Mr. Piddington) said this without intending any personal dis- respect to that officer, having a certain amount of respect for him, but he spoke, as he felt he ought to speak, with a due sense of the necessity that there was for active mea- sures being vigorously prosecuted until these outlaws were apprehended. Where was Captain McLerie, and what was he doing? The last he had heard of that gentleman was that he had gone down some hundred miles into the Southern district to find a good site for a police barracks. Was that the sort of duty for which he had been sent up into the interior by the Government? He thought not. Though the Inspector-General had been away from Sydney in the interior for some months, it was but too evident that he had done nothing. He was not even on the scene where those outrages were daily taking place, and this was in the face of the fact that it was so generally reported that the police were afraid of the bushrangers, instead of the bushrangers being afraid of the police. How came it that Captain McLerie was not in the neighbourhood of Bathurst, where the robberies were taking place? and why was it that he had not been on the tracks of the robbers himself, day after day, giving them no peace until he had hunted them down? Even if the bushrangers were possessed of better horses, such was the course that ought to have been per- sistently followed by the police, and by Captain McLerie at the head of them. He hoped that the robbers would be arrested ere long, but must confess, from all he had heard, that he had very grave doubts on the subject. He hoped, at all events, that they would be captured before they had an opportunity of visit- ing the establishment of Brueedale and Clear Creek, the properties of two hon. members of that House, who, by their votes, had recently given the House and the country to understand that they were satisfied with the present state of the police. He believed that all these men would soon be apprehended, and it was highly important they should be, when it was considered how highly injurious to the re- putation of the colony had been their long and unchecked career of crime. The fact that the whole of the police force of the colony had failed to put a stop to their out- rages and to bring them to justice was a very serious imputation upon the country and a disgrace to the Government, and a more than sufficient justification to him thus to bring the matter forward. He earnestly hoped that the Government would see fit to devise some scheme for en- couraging parties to come forward and assist in the captu- ing these men. Let larger rewards be offered for their ap- prehension. Already the expenditure for police purposes was very great—no less than £250,000 per annum—but as that had been found not enough, something more, it ap- peared, ought to be done, for these bushrangers must be taken. How was it that Government could not manage to capture a half dozen bushrangers? [Mr. HOLROYD : Not a half dozen, only five.] Whether five or fifty, they ought to be able to bring them to justice, considering the great expense of the present large police establishment. He hoped the hon. member at the head of the Government would devise some plan which would lead to the speedy capture of these robbers. It was, he thought, clearly incumbent upon the members of the Government, and on those who had supported them on the police question to take this matter in hand. It was but too true that the country was now in a great state of insecurity, so that something should be done at once. He did not think that paltry rewards such as had been given to sergeant Stephenson, were sufficient to induce men to risk their lives in apprehending those marauders. The Government must offer more, and encourage persons to capture them at all risks. Mr. HOLROYD seconded the motion. Mr. COWPER said that the Government had offered large rewards for the apprehension of the bushrangers — so large that they might well pause ere they contemplated offering greater sums. For the apprehension of Gardiner the Government had already offered £500; for the appre- hension of Gilbert, another sum of £500; for the apprehension of the man who wounded Mr. Baylis, £200; for the murderer of Berkin £200; for the apprehension of each escort robber, £100; and in each mail robbery case where arms were used, £50. In all, a pretty round sum, not far short of £2000. Unhappily, however, it appeared that this sum was not sufficient to induce persons to come forward and aid in the bringing of these criminals to justice. (Hear) He admitted that it was extraordinary that these men should, by the apathy or connivance of certain parties, be still enabled to elude the police. It was not, however, the fault of the Government that such should be the case, for the Government had done all that it could be expected to do in the matter. It was not from want of authority from the Government to act that the police had not been more successful, for Government had conceded every- thing that the police could possibly require. It was difficult to satisfy Hon. members in this matter. If he should read all the telegrams which had passed be- tween himself and Captain McLerie during the last few days, he might, perhaps, be charged by some hon. members with having betrayed that officer. What he desired to state was that Captain McLerie was now on the spot where the robberies were taking place, and had returned there last night or this day. In a few days he believed these bushrangers would be captured by the police. Hon. members were not in possession of the particulars of the case in which it was stated that the police had beaten some parties who had ridden away from them. It might be that circumstances were of such an irritating character as to go far to excuse the police for having inflicted some chastisement on the parties. He should be very much inclined, if he were a policeman, to give those parties a good beating, who for a senseless joke had purposely led him a dance of seven or eight miles for nothing. Mr. DALGLEISH : You would be guilty of a breach of the law — one which would be discreditable to you. (Hear, hear.) Mr. COWPER : I should think that the parties de- served a good thrashing. (Loud cries of hear, and counter cheers.) Mr. WILSON could not but consider that the remark of the hon. the Chief Secretary — that he would, if a policeman, think himself justified in thrashing a man who purposely led him a dance of seven miles for nothing — was highly im- proper. It was, he could not but think, a very unfortunate statement. Houses had been burnt down by the police, and the whole country was in arms about it. O’Malley’s house had been burnt down by an inspector of police who was afraid to face the son. He could think of nothing more calculated to continue these lawless proceedings than the lawless conduct of the police. Since the last debate some hon. members had received letters from persons of respectability in those districts, stat- ing that they had no confidence in the police, that the police were unable to protect them, and that it was as much as their life was worth that it should be known that they gave information to the police. He felt confident that the reluc- tance to give information to the police arose not from sym- pathy with the bushrangers, but from considerations of self- preservation. There was a good deal of terror throughout the country. The bushrangers forced themselves upon these people, who, having no confidence in the police, were afraid of giving information. He believed, however, that it was a necessary consequence of our police system. The capture of those three policemen near Carcoar was an extraordinary circumstance. Under the circumstances, he did not blame the men for allowing themselves to be taken, but he did blame them for going about at such a time and in such a place without being in a position to defend themselves, and he certainly thought that notice ought to be taken of their conduct, and of the officer who commanded them. He deeply deplored the state of the country, but he did not believe it would be remedied unless some other system were adopted; and unless a change took place in the police regulations. Mr. GRAY said there seemed to him to be a great want of efficiency about the police, but he did not mean to say On page 3 that the Government were answerable for all this, although in some instances, perhaps, they had chosen bad officers. Over and over again the House had heard praises of Mr. Morrisset and other officers, but yet they found that Mr. Morrisset was the commander in this very district. If he were at the head of the Government, he would soon call upon Mr. Morrisset to explain why he could not command sufficient policemen to follow these men, and why he did not attempt to do so. If those gentlemen thought more of parading themselves than of performing their duty, the sooner they got rid of them the better. He did not blame the system. He had been informed that the three policemen who suffered themselves to be taken by the bushrangers were old troopers and old soldiers. Certainly they had not shown that they were better than those who had been appointed under the new system. If they had not displayed downright cowardice they had shown downright folly, and were not fit to act as police in the present disturbed state of the country. In that part of the country, too, he thought it spoke little for the inhabitants that they had suffered themselves to be ridden over by those bushrangers. Surely the gentlemen resident there had English blood in them, but it did not appear that they had come forward to aid the police in any single instance. Mr. HARPUR said he almost agreed with the Chief Secretary that the persons referred to by him did deserve a good beating under the circumstances of the case. But he did not think, however, that was the way they were treated. He was of opinion that they were apprehended. He was of opinion that the old police would have crushed this bushranging in its first stages. At the time the escort was stopped, the robbers had a difficulty in supplying themselves with firearms, but they were now well armed and equipped. There were, how- ever, now only five of them. By some means or other the bushrangers had the sympathy of people who dwelt in the bush. He attributed that sympathy in some measure to the execution of Manns, and expressed his opinion that the bushrangers who were now at large would give themselves up, but that they apprehended a similar fate. These men had discovered the source of their strength. It might be said that our policemen were good horsemen, but could they follow these men down the sides of mountains? He had seen South American horsemen, but they were not to be compared to the bushmen of this colony as far as their horsemanship was concerned. People might be so treated as to feel that their lives were not worth having, harassed and insulted as they were by the police. He trusted the Government would see that the police behaved in a proper manner. He thought we had too many puppies in the police; one he knew, and that one should know him (Mr. Harpur) yet. Mr. SHEPHERD denied that these outrages were committed exclusively by Australians; some of these ruffians had come into the colony, and were disappointed characters. But thirty years ago the country was kept in a state of alarm for a long time in spite of the efforts of the police to capture the culprits. The inhabitants of the infested districts, how- ever, at length turned out and did what the police failed to do. He believed the disturbed state of the country was attributable to a very great extent to the encouragement given to bushrangers by persons in the position of free selectors, who harboured them, and aided them indirectly in their crimes. He admitted the police had not carried out the expectations of the country, although he gave the Colonial Secretary credit for having done all he could to make the force an efficient one. The most probable means of capturing the ruffians now infesting the interior would be by offering large rewards for their capture, and thus inciting volunteers to go in pursuit of them. Mr. DANGAR did not think the offer of such rewards would be of much avail. In 1839 and 1840 there were hordes of bushrangers north, south, and west. The “Jew mob” at times would dine unmasked with Mr. Hely at Brisbane Water, sometimes at Mooki, at other times with residents on the Paterson, and took horses wherever they could find them. At that time tickets-of-leave were given to prisoners to enable them to act as constables, and a force could be raised at any moment. This gang went to Muswellbrook and Scone, at which latter place they shot a young man named Graham, his (Mr. Dangar’s) clerk, who was running to give information to the police. Before night, however, Mr. Denny Day, with a number of residents, armed with mus- kets, went in pursuit of them, as the residents of the in- fested districts should do now. Not only the man who shot Mr. Graham, but the five who were with him, were captured and hanged. This put a stop to bushranging for some years. The fault in the new police system was not with the men, but with the kid-gloved officers, many of whom would not run the risk of following these bush- rangers too closely. Most of them, having families, did not like to leave their homes. He had heard that many diggers at Lambing Flat had volunteered to go into the bush to capture bushrangers, but they were not allowed. He had voted for the New Police Act, and he believed the system could be made effectual. He knew Hall when he was a boy, and the whole family were bad. The first crime of these native bushrangers was generally sheep or cattle stealing. Mr. CUMMINGS said he could not agree with the state- ment of the hon. member who had accused the free selectors of being the harbourers of the bushrangers, for he believed there were no free selectors in that part of the country. He was surprised that honorable members should be so free in making accusations upon matters that they know nothing about. He had given his support to the passing of the Police Act, believing that its effect would be the prevention of crime; and he did not attribute the present lawless state of the interior so much to that Act as to the inefficiency of some of the members of the police force. It was something strange that five bushrangers should for a fortnight commit constant depredations between Bathurst and Canowindra without being apprehended. He believed Mr. Morrisset to be a very brave officer, but he was to be seen about Bathurst in his military attire, instead of going out after the bush- rangers. He was quite ready to give the hon. Colonial Secretary credit for having done all in his power to cause these men to be apprehend. He was much surprised to hear the remarks made in this House imputing to a very respectable class of persons the crime of harbouring the bushrangers. If hon. members were as well acquainted with those residents as he was, they would not indulge in such attacks. There was no doubt that the bushrangers had been harboured; but those who harboured them were their friends and relatives. The most respectable persons, if the bushrangers called at their houses, would be happy to supply them with all they required for fear their own lives and property should be destroyed. And even those hon. members who had so loudly condemned the harbouring of the robbers, if they were living many miles away from any neighbours and were to be attacked by the bushrangers, they would not use the same braggadocio that they used on the floor of this House. There were as brave and as inde- pendent men residing in that part of the country as could anywhere be met with, but, unfortunately, under the present police system they would not turn out as they other- wise would; as they did not chose to be insulted by some petty officer who was not half so good as they were. The Government could get a body of brave loyal men to go out after bushrangers, headed by one of their own chosing, but they would not subject themselves to the in- sulting sneers of men who never should have been placed in authority. He had heard of a sergeant of police being ap- plied to to apprehend a cattle stealer who was then on the spot, but who refused to do so until ordered by his commanding officer. It was impossible to hold the hon. Colonial Secretary accountable for such conduct, but he might at any rate do something to check it. The police would take no notice of what the magistrates said; they would walk away after receiving the orders of the magistrates. He looked upon the burning of old O’Meally’s house as the act of a cold-blooded coward; a man of honour and principle would never have been guilty of such an act. The poor old man had brought up a bad son, but ought not to be punished for his transgression. It would be a lasting stain upon the Government if they did not deal vigorously with the officer who had assumed a power he did not possess. Mr. DALGLEISH said that all the hon. members who had spoken in this debate had displayed much warmth, excepting the hon. Colonial Secretary, whose sentiments on this question he (Mr. Dalgleish) must characterise as being of an extremely dangerous character. It was found that the police, who were bound to be the conservators of law and order, were the first to break the law. They had broken the law most unblushingly, and we had not heard of their being punished by the hon. Colonial Secretary. So far from that, the hon. gentleman had stated that if he had been placed in a certain position he would have done a certain act — that is to say, he would have committed a breach of the peace. Nothing more dangerous could possibly have been said by a Minister of the Crown. With regard to the case that had been alluded to, it appears that some bushrangers had been mistaken for members of the police force. The hon. Colonial Secretary had put the police in all kinds of disguises, and now the bush- rangers had disguised themselves as policemen. There was nothing whatever in the face of a bushranger to indicate his profession — nothing to show that a man dressed as a policeman was not a police- man, or that a man dressed as a policeman was a bush- ranger. He had always voted in such a way as to show his opinion of dereliction of the Government in this matter on previous occasions. But hon. members said the Govern- ment were not to blame — they had done all they could. He denied this, and said they had done nothing. And he asked had they brought to justice the police who fired Ben Hall’s house ? If not, they were answerable for unlaw- fulness, because he held it was just as unlawful for the police to burn down a house as a bushranger to rob the mail. And he thought if there was any difference in the crime it was greater in the case where the police had fired a dwelling of a person who (for aught they knew) was a peaceable man. An hon. member had asked, what had the Government omitted to do ? He said they had omitted their greatest duty. What did they do in England in times of excite- ment and trouble but swear in the people in the neighbour- hood as special constables. Now had the Government at- tempted to do this — had they asked the people to enrol themselves as special constables? No, but they had said they could join the police, and this he con- sidered was a ridiculous proposition. He had no doubt the gentlemen inhabiting those districts would combine together for their protection, if they thought their services would be received ; but directly contrary to this had been the case. They remembered when an officer was captured by bushrangers, how the people came forward to enrol themselves, but they were told to go home, because this individual had been found. Now, he said their ser- vices should have been accepted, because there was the ne- cessity of dealing with these bushrangers at once; and if that had been done, he said that long ere this the bush- rangers would have been accounted for. He said the neces- sity for this motion was a strong one. No doubt, motions of adjournment of the House were generally merely formal; but he thought this ought to be carried, in order to allow the Colonial Secretary sufficient leisure to take such steps as he thought necessary, and to take into consideration the dangerous position of the country. He contended that if the Police Act was properly carried out there was nothing whatever in it to prevent the suppression of crime; but the regulations which had been made by the head of the Govern- ment and of the police force were absurd, and were at variance with liberty and common sense — and with every feeling of right that was valued by Englishmen. He had opposed the Police Act formerly on account of the princi- ple of centralisation, but there was nothing in it that would prevent its working. The bill contained sufficient power, and the House granted sufficient money; where, therefore, did the fault lie but with the Government who had framed such absurd regulations? He condemned the conduct of the police in burning old O’Meally’s house, and maintained that they acted illegally in doing so. And he asked if O’Meally had another son or a brother whether another man would not be added to those who were in open rebellion against the Government. He thought if he were this man’s son he would find it in his heart to avenge him- self on those who had destroyed the roof under which his father took refuge. He did not feel for O’Meally anything but abhorrence, but he thought they had no right to vent the sins of the son on the father. Hoping this would be the case, and that the present state of things would speedily be altered, he left the matter in the hand of the House. Of such an alteration, however, he had no hope so long as the present officers remained in power — so long as the present Premier was at the head of affairs, and the present Inspector-General was at the head of the police. Mr. LORD had always made allowance for the difficul- ties which the police, at their first formation, had had to contend with, but there was still this fact that could not be explained away, that these bushrangers had been known to be at the Swan Ponds, only five miles from Bathurst, on one occasion and that they had been for fully ten days within twenty miles of that town, and nothing had been done by the police. What could Mr. Morisset have been doing to allow of such a thing? He believed that neither this gentleman nor Sir Frederick Pottinger was fit for the position he held. Neither of them had that command over his men that an officer in his position should have. As a poof of this, he would mention that he had been in- formed, on unquestionable authority, that a short time back a store had been robbed at Burrows, opposite to a public- house, in which three policemen were lying drunk at the time. If the head of the Government were at once to dis- miss these two gentlemen he would be doing the greatest possible good by the warning it would give to others. He should not have risen, but, knowing the localities, he thought it but right that he should state how matters stood, in order to show that the police had not done their duty. It was quite evident that some change ought to be made, and that something ought to be done speedily to put a stop to the lawless career of these bushrangers. Mr. STEWART said honorable members seemed all pretty well agreed as to the alarming state of crime in the interior, and the only difference of opinion was as to the mode by which it should be suppressed. One thing, however, was certain, and that was that they would never have, as some honorable gentlemen imagined, the country rising en masse to take these marauders. No doubt, the present state of affairs was to a great extent attributable to the charge that had been made in the police system; for, if the police had been under the control of the local benches — of men who knew the country — more prompt and certain steps would have been taken to put a stop to these out- rages. Though honorable members complained of the state of the interior, not one had yet offered to point out any practicable mode by which the career of these bushrangers might be put a stop to. If that had been — if some reason- able course had been shown to the Government, and the Government had then failed to take it, then he for one would regard them as blamable. But his opinion was that the police would never take these men in the way they now went to work. The bushrangers were better horsemen than the police, and knew the country, which the police did not. They would never do any good until they could employ stratagem, or obtain such confidences from the people as to have information given to them. In drawing attention to these matters, the hon. member for Hawkesbury had done well, for the Government would now see that the House required of them to do everything in their power to put down this state of crime. Let this be done by rewards or by any other method, for let but these offenders be appre- hended, and no amount of money would be too much to reward their capture. Mr. HART was not surprised of the alarm that had been excited by the extent to which crime had at present reached, for a similar state of lawlessness was not to be found in any civilised country on the earth. True, crime existed as it always would, but in no country were the offenders allowed to go at large for so long a period as these men had been. The bushrangers were men all well known to the police — their haunts were known, and in- formation was often promptly given, and yet they were unable to cope with the bushrangers. This was owing solely to the inefficiency of the men engaged, and not to any defect in the Police Act. That House had not been niggardly in the power with which it had intrusted the hon. Premier. They had given him power to employ as many men as he thought necessary, they had voted him every penny hr had asked from them, they had sanctioned everything he had proposed; and yet he was unable with the strong force in hand to cope with these ruffians who un- settled the country. The hon. Premier should follow the example that America had set him. There, if a general be ever so brave or ever so clever, if he were not successful he was superseded. The hon. Premier should do the same here, and no matter how good an officer the Inspector- General was, if he was not successful he should be superse- ded. The state of the country where these outrages existed could hardly be conceived by hon. members. Habeas corpus was virtually suspended there, for men were apprehended, and were remanded from day to day for months together. Then again, they had had it in evidence before a select committee that the magistrates were in the habit of signing blank warrants, and of giving them to the police to fill in with the names of these they might think it necessary to arrest. In the recent gaol delivery at Goulburn, the Judge had expressed his great surprise at finding so large a number as seventeen persons left in the gaol at the end of the cri- minal sessions of the Court. He found that several of those had been detained there for some months, and yet no specific charges had been brought against them. In the true spirit of a British Judge he had at once liberated two, who had been thus for a long time detained in prison; and had inti- mated to the Crown law officers that it was his intention to liberate the rest on a future occasion, if he should find them still detained and not brought up for trial on some specific charge. He (Mr. Hart) could not but think that it would be much better if the large sums of money spent upon police had been spent on the education of the young, and for the support of ministers of religion. (Hear, hear.) He believed if they were to re- turn to the old arrangements as regarded both education and the maintenance of ministers of religion, that it would be found that crime would be far less prevalent than it was at present. (Hear.) He concurred in the opinion of those hon. members who thought that this Parliament had sat long enough. When hon. members voted against the opinions which they had expressed at the time of their election, and on the profession of which they had been elected, it was extremely desirable, he thought, that the House should be dissolved. That was the case with the hon. member for St. Leonards, who had frequently voted since he had taken his seat against what he had professed as his political sentiments at his election. When this sort of thing occurred it was desirable that the constituencies of each hon. member should be again consulted. He hoped soon to hear that the band of desperadoes infesting the Western district were all arrested. Mr. COWPER had understood the hon. member for Bathurst to say that blank warrants had been issued by the police magistrates for the apprehension of criminals, and that such a course had been adopted with the consent of the Government. Such was not the case. The hon. member was quite mistaken in this. He was not aware that any police magistrate had done anything of the kind, and certainly none had during the time that the present Government had been in office. It was said that Captain Battye had once done something of the kind, but Captain Battye was not a police magistrate. (Hear) After what had passed in the discussion that had taken place that evening, he should hold himself justified in reading the telegrams which he had felt it his duty to address to the Inspector-General of Police, and the telegrams he had received in return. On the 25th of this month he had addressed to the Inspector-General of Police the following telegram:— From the Colonial Secretary, Sydney, to the Inspector-General of Police. The outrageous proceedings of the bushrangers in the neigh- bourhood of Carcoar, and the unaccountable conduct of the police, are the theme of general conversation and condemnation. I cannot avoid expressing my opinion that your presence is re- quired in that part of the colony more than any other just now. I conclude that you hear by telegram of what has been done there during the last few days. The police surrendered their arms to Gilbert and party without a struggle. Another robbery of a serious kind has since taken place at Hosie’s. The police seems helpless, and Mr. Morisset says unless they are determined to sacrifice their lives he does not see what more they could do. I feel bound to say that 1 am extremely dissatisfied with the conduct of the police and of Mr. Morisset himself. I wish you would go to Carcoar and its neighbourhood, towards Bathurst, and remain there that I may have some opportunity of communicating with you. The robberies at Young, which Mr. Zouch has never yet explained to me ; that, subsequently, at Burrowa, where the behaviour of the police was, so far as I can judge, disgraceful ; and, lately, at Carcoar, to which I have alluded, are doing infi- nite damage to the reputation of the police force. If some suc- cess does not quickly interrupt the current now setting in, almost at a furious rate, against them, I shall be compelled to set the regular police aside, and organise another band, under an entirely separate arrangement, to accomplish what the police seem unequal to. I have never suffered so much anxiety upon any public matter as upon this police question. To defend a force which is continually making so many blunders is impossible. The Bathurst and Carcoar people are becoming so impatient that I cannot longer refrain from showing that the Government sympa- thises with them, and is resolved, at all hazards, to put down the lawlessness and ruffianism which is destroying the peace of many families, and which is increasing, apparently unchecked, notwith- standing the enormous cost of the police. Charles Cowper. 25th September. Ascertain whether Captain McLerie is at Wagga Wagga or Young, and send this to him, wherever he is. Charles Cowper. In answer to this he (Mr. Cowper) had received from the Inspector-General the following telegram, which he was pre- pared to expect, not supposing that officer would be likely to receive the telegram he had sent to him with equanimity:— From Inspector-General, Wagga Wagga, to Chief Secretary, Sydney. Before the receipt, of your message I had already telegraphed to the police secretary my object in coming here, and my intended further proceedings, which are quite in accordance with your opinion as to the necessity of my presence in the Western districts. I will not offer any opinion as to the conduct of the police who are charged with surrendering their arms without a struggle, until an inquiry has been made into the matter, as the members of the police of all ranks who have been acting under my imme- diate superintendence have conducted themselves in a manner that entitles them to the approval of the Government. The robberies at Young can be satisfactorily explained, and the recent one at Burrowa, where the police are considered by you to have acted disgracefully, was fully inquired into by the bench of magis- trates, and I can only say that the result does not justify the opinion you have formed of the conduct of the police on that occa- sion. I have done everything in my power, since I received your instructions to leave Sydney, to attain the object you had in view, in making my services useful to the Government in the interior of the colony, and if I have not yet been successful, that want of suc- cess has resulted from no want of bodily or mental exertion on my part, but from causes that I yet hope to be able to explain satisfactorily, personally to yourself. S hould you, however, feel compelled to the necessity of setting the services of the regular police aside, and organising a band under an entirely separate arrangement, I feel bound to warn you, as one of your officers, in whom you have up to the present time placed implicit confidence, that such a change will not fail to be most disastrous to the Go- vernment and the public. He (Mr. Cowper) took some hours to consider this telegram from Captain McLerie, and then answered it as follows :— Copy of telegram from Colonial Secretary to Inspector-General of Police, Young. 28th September, 1863. The Colonial Secretary considers the tone of last telegram from Inspector-General of Police highly reprehensible. The law having invested the Colonial Secretary with the control of the police, Parliament will not relieve him from responsibility for acting upon opinions of Inspector-General, who appears de- sirous of assuming a position entirely unwarranted. The Minis- ter is expected to give instructions, and to require that they be obeyed. The Colonial Secretary sees no reason for altering the purport of his former telegram. If drunkenness, or cowardice, or ineffi- ciency in the police are to be glossed over or excused under pre- sent circumstances, it cannot be expected that the notorious characters, now desperate and daring in consequence of repeated successes, will be apprehended. The Inspector-General has now been absent from Sydney since the first of July last, and has had at his absolute disposal the fol- lowing police force, viz. :— Officers. Sergeants. Sen.-constables. Constables. Lachlan … 5 … 9 … 9 … 55 Western .. 4 … 11 … 19 … 82 South-eastern …7 … 12 .. 20 … 80 16 32 48 217 Making, exclusive of black trackers and the police in the Murray district, upwards of three hundred effectives. For three months this body of police has been entirely at the disposal of the Inspector-General, with unlimited pecuniary resources, for the purpose of rendering other means also available. T he gang, which is now five in number, set them at defiance; nor does there appear at present any prospect of capturing them, for the police permit them to escape whenever within their grasp. This applies peculiarly to the Western and Lachlan districts. The Colonial Secretary is, however, unwilling suddenly to withdraw the In- spector-General, but intimates his intention of doing so, if within one month Gilbert and his party are not apprehended. It will then become a question for immediate determination what modi- fication of the police system shall be made to remedy the defects so loudly complained of. The last appointed acting sub-inspectors taken into the force should receive notice at once that their services will not be re- quired after the end of this year. (Signed) Charles Cowper. 28th September, 1863. Such were the telegrams he had addressed to the Inspector- General, and they showed, as he believed, that he had been most anxious to see that the police did their duty, and to reprehend for what appeared objectionable. It would be proper to state that he had subsequently received a telegram from Captain McLerie, which he would read Inspector-General of Police to Colonial Secretary, Sydney. Young, 29th September, 1863. I much regret that the tone of my last telegram should be con- sidered by the Colonial Secretary so highly reprehensible. I never intended to arrogate to myself the responsibility which the Colonial Secretary is vested with by Parliament over the control of the police, and every instruction received from him I have, to the best of my ability, complied with. So far from glossing over and excusing drunkenness, cowardice, and inefficiency, the records of my office will show these offences have always been visited with the severest punishments. It is rue I have now been absent three months from Sydney, and the strength of the three divisions named may be quoted at the number given, but it should be at the same time borne in mind that the whole three hundred men re- ferred to have not been available for the sole purpose of pursuing the five scoundrels who are infesting the district, for, with gold escorts and sufficient men left for the protection of townships and police stations, no party sent out has in any case ever exceeded eight men. I have, after three months observation, come to the conclusion that if the whole British cavalry, trained as police, were distributed throughout these districts they would not have been more successful than we have been under the combined difficulties we meet with in this part of the colony. Every possible exertion will be made by myself und the officers and men acting under me to capture Gilbert and his gang, and I have reason to hope, with the approaching fine weather and the ground in better order for riding on, we will not fail in putting a speedy end to a state of things so injurious to the public welfare. Notice will be at once be given to the three last appointed acting sub-inspectors taken into the force, viz., Gordon, McLerie, and Tipping, that their services will not be required after the end of the present year. To show how difficult it was to deal with cases wherein the police were in fault, and the obstacles which were often thrown in the way by the local magistrates, he would now read a report from inspector Black, relative to the disposal of a case at Burrowa, where the magistrates had excused the conduct of the police under remarkable circumstances : Police Depot, Sydney, 28th September, 1863. Sir, —I have the honour to report for your information, that at 7.20 p.m. on the 1st instant, Mr. Webb, of the firm of Webb and Crego, at Burrowa, came to my quarters at the Commercial Hotel and reported that his store had been stuck-up by Gilbert, O’Meally, and two others. I at once procured my revolver, and proceeded to the lock-up to muster the men, and at the same time requested Mr. Webb to call upon sergeant Richards, and direct him to come to me at once. There is no barracks at Burrowa, and the men being scattered in different parts of the town, some time elapsed before they were got together. Two men belonging to the Marengo station, named Swan and T. Foley, who had arrived at Burrowa that afternoon on escort, I found to be drunk and unfit for duty. Foley stated that he fired five shots at some men on horseback who he ran after. The five men belonging to the station were perfectly correct with the exception of the sergeant, who could not be found, although sent for several times. I afterwards ascertained he had been at Mr. Webb’s store in a state of intoxication. In consequence of the darkness of the night at the time of the robbery, I thought it useless to attempt to follow the robbers, as it was impossible to discover which way they had taken, but sent the men to protect the stores and lockup (which is very insecure), fearing an attempt might be made to rescue two prisoners, who were confined for highway robbery under arms. At 3 o ‘clock in the morning, I proceeded with two men to watch and search the home of a person named Downey, a relative of O’Meally’s, and suspected of harbouring bushrangers, but did not find them, although I have since ascertained they had been there two hours before the store was stuck up (this house is situate about seven miles from Burrowa). Senior constable Cornett and one man was also sent to watch the house of another suspected harbourer named Lynch, but did not find them. After scouring the bush for several hours and met with no tracks, we were com- pelled to return to Burrowa in consequence of the two prisoners referred to being remanded for hearing before the magis- trates that morning, and who were committed for trial. The gun and clothing found by a boy, and referred to in Mr. Webb’s letter in the Empire, was picked up in daylight in the bush a very short distance from the store. The thieves appear to have separated, and to have taken two different roads, and their tracks were visible but for a short dis- tance. The Inspector-General and Captain Zouch arrived at Burrowa on the 3rd, and after making enquiries, I was directed by them to suspend sergeant Richards, and have senior constable Swan and constable T. Foley to be brought in from Marengo, when the whole three were brought before the magistrates and charged with being drunk and unfit for duty, when called upon : Richards and Swan pleaded guilty, Foley not guilty; evidence was given against them by myself and Mr. Webb. The Bench fined Richards twenty shillings, and Swan, from the good character he received from Captain Zouch, was only fined one shilling. Foley was dis- charged. I may state, that though Mr. Webb had told Mr. Hayes, one of the presiding magistrates, on the day after the robbery, and also stated in his published letter that the police were drunk, when in the witness-box he declined (although pressed hard upon the point by me) to swear that the men were either drunk or unfit for duty. I was informed by senior constable Cornett, that he expressed his sorrow to him for having said anything against the police, as he believed they had done all they could in the matter, he also paid the fine for Richards in the court, and in the presence of the magistrates. The stores of Messrs. Webb and Crego are situate at one end of the town, and close to the bush. Constable Stewart reported that he passed it only a few minutes prior to the time the robbery was reported to have taken place, and saw nothing suspicious in the neighbourhood. I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant, John Black, Sub-inspector, E. Fossbury, Esq , Secretary of Police, Sydney. The man Richards, referred to in this document, was the officer who received, subsequently, a sentence of six months’ imprisonment for contempt of Court. The hon. Colonial Secretary concluded by again referring to the fact of the fine being paid by Mr. Webb, and expressing his disapprobation of the conduct of the local magistrates, for the manner in which they had dealt with men who ought to have been at once dismissed. Mr. HOLROYD asked whether any steps had been taken in reference to Mr. Morrisset, who said that the police could not do anything more than they had already done except they risked their lives ? He certainly ought to have been at once suspended if not dismissed. Mr. COWPER said the Inspector-General was in the district, and be should receive his report in a day or two. Mr. HOLROYD asked whether it had been ordered that he should be dismissed. Mr. COWPER : No, he had been ordered to go after the bushrangers. (Laughter.) Mr. HART, in proof of his assertion in reference to blank warrants having been issued, quoted from the evi- dence given before a select committee appointed to enquire into the case of Charles Lawrence, to the effect that blank warrants for arrest and search had been issued ; and re- marked that when the evidence was given the hon. Colonial Secretary made a commendatory statement. Mr. COWPER : I said one was produced signed by Captain Battye. Mr. HART : The hon. member said they were very useful. Mr. MACPHERSON said that, although he did not think free selection had been conducted on the best possible principles, he was not disposed to second the opinions ex- pressed by one hon. member that free selection had been the cause of the present disturbed state of the country. The hon. Colonial Secretary had stated that if in one month hence some of those bushrangers were not captured, the Inspector-General of Police was to be recalled. It was nearly a month ago since he heard an hon. member say that he was prepared to give the Government two months’ grace, whatever state the country might be in. He supposed at the end of that time if the condition of things were not remedied, that hon. member would withdraw his confidence. It was just possible that the Colonial Secretary might be under the impression that a good many other hon. members were of a similar opinion that now or never was the time, and that if the evil was not put down at once, the present Ministry ought to be turned out of office—or indeed that they ought never to have been in power. Dr. LANG said that making allowance for the far greater extent of country now under occupation, the far greater dis- persion of the people, and the far greater temptations, he did not see that the state of things was very different from that which they had experienced from the earlier days of the colony. In the time of General Darling the state of things was pretty much the same, and he remembered eight troublers of the public peace being hanged at one time in Sydney. People then made the same outcry against the lawlessness of the country. A similar state of things was experienced during the administration of Governor Bourke, and if hon. members would read the pages of the Sydney Herald of that time they would find the same outcry against the authorities for their carelessness and want of success. He did not consider it surprising that the bushrangers defeated all the efforts of the police, considering that most of them were natives of the colony, or had been in the country from their earliest years. Hon. members seemed to be totally ignorant of the history of the mother country in this respect. Who had not heard of Captain Rock’s achievements in Ireland ? He set the efforts of the Imperial Government at defiance. The White Boys, and the Peep-o’Day Boys, and the other “Boys” in Ireland were precisely of the same character as O’Meally and his gang. (Cries of “No, no.”) They met in rebellion against the country and the peace of society. If hon. mem- bers would turn their attention to the state of things in the mother country in these respects they would have a little more forbearance in reference to the condemnation they hurled against the authorities here, who, it was quite evident, from the telegrams just read, had been doing their utmost to put down marauders. There was another circumstance which hon. members seemed to have left out of consideration, and that was the sympathy with crime which evidently prevailed in this country. (Cries of “No, no.”) Without it these men could not exist as troublers of the peace of the country. (Hear, hear) He gave the police credit for honesty, sincerity, and zeal, although no doubt there were instances of great neglect and perhaps incapacity, but surely the blame of this was not to be imputed to those who were doing the best they could for the country. “It is not in mortals to command success,” but he trusted the Government would do more — that they would “deserve it.” He did not rise to defend the authorities, but to throw a little light on certain phases of the subject which he thought had been left out of consideration on the present occasion. He retained precisely the same opinion he did when he voted for the Police Act, and he did not feel surprised at anything that had occurred since, considering the ex- perience of the marauders, their great ability as horsemen, and their acquaintance with the interior of the country. And it was not to be expected that any police could succeed better than those they had employed at Young. He be- lieved the police were acquiring experience in the discharge of their duties every day; and proving as he did the incon- venience of the old hands before the institution of the pre- sent police, he still entertained a hope and expectation that the grand object of the present Act would be carried out successfully. But he trusted hon. members would not make a party question of this, which was one that affected the interests of the colony generally. He did not believe that any possible organisation of the police would have had any other effect than that which they were now suffering, and which now unfor- tunately engaged the attention and apprehensions of the community. As an individual member he was not afraid of going back to the country, and, having advocated the system of triennial parliaments, he should have been be- lying his own convictions if he stated anything different on the present occasion. But he did not think the present state of the country warranted an immediate appeal to the country, although, so far as he was personally concerned, he should be glad to hear of it to-morrow. He did not think this was one of these questions which should be treated in a party spirit. They were all interested in main- taining the peace of the colony, and how this was to be done was the question And he did not think hon. mem- bers opposite, who inveighed so strongly against the Government, had pointed out a better course than the one the Government were pursuing. Mr. R. FORSTER adverted to the discursive character the debate had assumed, and to the unwarranted, unjustifi- able, and uncalled-for remarks of Dr. Lang, who had un- fairly slandered the people of Ireland by comparing the state of things in that country with what now existed here. If the hon. and rev. member could say that the people of our Western and Southern interior were as the people of Ireland had been, in a state of destitution and want, op- pressed by laws repugnant to their feelings and associations, driven from their homes by ruthless agents, and left with- out food or raiment to starve on the bleak moors, there would have been some ground for such a com- parison. But the reverse being the case, these remarks from the hon. and rev. member ap- peared entirely uncalled for. There was nothing whatever in the circumstances of this colony, or in the con- dition of the people in the Western and Southern districts, who were committing these depredations, that could in any way justify a comparison such as that drawn by the hon. and rev. member. It was, he (Mr. F.) confessed, deplorable to find that robberies and murders were constantly being committed by a gang of some half a dozen men ; and he thought some system should be adopted whereby such a state of things might be speedily and effectually rectified. If, as it was stated, this gang of ruffians carried their depre- dations within a short distance of Bathurst, one of the largest and most important of our inland towns, and remained within five miles of it for some days, and Super- intendent Morisset, with his police, did not go in pursuit (for if he did nothing had been heard of it), it was time that officer was removed from the service. We did not want officers to remain at ears in their quarters enjoying themselves quietly whilst crime was rampant in the country around them. We wanted officers like those in the old police force, who would go into the field and scour the country. In former times it was invariably the case that, even if bush- rangers were not quickly captured, the police never got off their track, and kept constantly at their heels until they were overtaken. But now we found the police officers scarcely knew where they were going when they had to follow a bushranger. He trusted that the statement made in the telegram just read by the Colonial Secretary, to the effect that if the bushrangers were not taken by the police in a month he would employ other means of capturing them would be carried out. He hoped the hon. member would adhere to that declaration. There were plenty of able and intelligent men competent for, and ready to undertake such a duty, far superior to most of the officers now in the police force. Mr. BUCHANAN endorsed all that had been said by the hon. member for New England. The hon. and rev- erend member had drawn a parallel between what they were suffering from and what they suffered from forty years ago ; but he did not think he was justified in drawing this parallel, because at that time they were suffering from the want of population. He thought if the hon. and reverend member had no better arguments to advance than those he had urged on this occasion, that his case was a very lame one. He contended that the Government were responsible for all that had occurred, and that, if the Colonial Secretary was not capable of maintaining law and order, he was not fit for the office he held. He objected to the Government coming down and reading telegrams they had forwarded to their officers, and thought the House had nothing to do with what course the Government chose to adopt with re- gard to the police, but that they should insist on law and order being maintained. He believed the Colonial Secretary was doing his best ; but if his best was not good enough to put down the present state of things he thought he should make way for one who would do better. Mr. SADLEIR did not think the speech delivered by the hon. and rev. member did him much credit. He, like all old men, had gone back to forty years ago, and compared the state of things then with the present time, but he forgot that in those days the population consisted principally of convicts, whereas they now had a free colony. He thought therefore it was a very bad state of things if crime were still as prevalent as it was forty years ago. He was glad of this debate, because they had at last got out of the Colo- nial Secretary that he had some doubts as to the Police Act, and that it would not work ; and this he had endeavoured to impress on the House for some time, and he believed if the police force were reorganised these bushrangers would be speedily put down and brought to justice. He had intended not to have alluded to the police question again until the Estimates were brought forward, and he then proposed to cut off the salaries of all the officers of police, in order that police magistrates might be appointed to take their places, and that the police should be localised. He had always been confident that the present system of police would never work well, especially with the regula- tions under which they served. As to the charges of har- bouring the bushrangers brought against the free selectors, there were no grounds whatever for them, except, perhaps, in some few cases were persons had been compelled through intimidation to shelter these outlaws. He was glad the matter had been brought forward to elicit the opinion of the House ; and he was the more so, as it had led the Premier to express doubts of the soundness of the system. Mr. MORRIS explained that the hon. gentleman who had just sat down had altogether misunderstood the speech of the hon. and rev. member for Sydney West. He rose, however, to give expression to the regret he felt at hearing the cheer that had greeted an announcement which he would have thought the House would receive with silence, certainly not with satisfaction. He must say that he had so much confidence in the hon. Premier that, had he been absent, and any person had told him that the hon. gentle- man had read such telegrams as they had heard read, he should not have believed that person. He had read tele- grams in which censure of the highest degree was cast upon the Inspector-General, and upon the officers of the force now stationed in the disturbed district. In the first place they were censured, and then they were retained in the very locality where their neglect had brought down the censure of the hon. gentle- men. Surely this would not render them more efficient; on the contrary, it would make them less so, by destroying their prestige. Then, again, the House was told that if within a month the police did not succeed in capturing these marauders, they would he recalled, or, in other words, dismissed. As soon as this information got abroad, the bushrangers would only have to lay by for a month, and keep on the alert against surprise, and they would then be able to enjoy the triumph of displacing the Inspector- General and all his officers. Such a thing as this was never known. He would undertake to say that no instance could be produced of an officer being censured prior to his dismissal. Even Pre- sident Lincoln, with all his arbitrary conduct, had never published a censure upon any of his officers prior to their dismissal. Even he never said publicly that an officer had lost his confidence so long as he retained the services of that officer. Whether the language used in the telegram were justified or not was another matter ; but he thought the hon. Premier, and the House also, were dealing rather hardly with the officers of police ; for hitherto it had been next to impossible for any police to follow and apprehend these marauders. They had a most unusually wet season. The troopers’ horses were not fleet ones, nor were they in good condition, since though the season had been so wet, the country was a cold one, and the grass had not grown. (Mr. PIDDINGTON : What do the bushrangers do ?) They change their horses every day, they stable them and take every care of them and take another whenever they want him. This the police had no authority to do, but it perhaps would not be unwise to authorise the police, on an emergency, to take horses wherever they found them, the Government paying the owners. They might then, perhaps, be able to cope with the bushrangers. As yet the country was too wet and rotten for riding over, and he knew several gentlemen there who could not collect their cattle for this reason. Let them wait, then, until the weather took up a bit, and then the police would have something like a chance with these men. He was afraid that the hon. Premier was now giving way to a mere popular outcry, and was virtually consigning his police to that condition in which the honorable gentlemen’s opponents best wished to see them. The men of the force had been working hard and well—he would not say that they had always done so pru- dently—and yet if they failed to catch these men within a month they were all to be sent about their business, and the hon. Premier would have played into the hands of the bushrangers. The House was not dealing fairly by the police, for why were they to be picked out for censure ? Why did they not rather censure the gentlemen of the country for not turning out and taking these men, as they had done others in years gone by. He at all events claimed common justice for the police, and that had not been shewn them, when the hon. Premier could read such telegrams as he had done. Mr. HOLT joined issue with his hon. friend the member for Balranald, in regard to the opinion he held respecting the propriety of reading these telegrams. He thought that it had been very desirable that the public should know what was going on in the present state of the interior of the country, and that it was proper that the people should know what the Government were doing in the matter. He differed from the hon. member for Balranald in his opinion as to the etiquette of censuring an officer of the standing of Captain McLerie, remembering, as he did, cases where officers of a yet higher grade than the Inspector-General, had been strongly censured by the authorities to whom they were accountable. He believed the best way to effect a capture of these ruffians would be, to offer large rewards for their apprehension. This step would at once induce numbers of young men to band themselves together for such a purpose. The number of police was far in excess of the bushrangers, as many as sixty to one. The Government appeared to him to have done all they could do in the matter. Mr. SAMUEL commented upon the contradictory cha- racter of the speech of the hon. member for Newtown who lauded the Government for doing all that could be done, at the same time that the Chief Secretary had felt it his duty to censure the Inspector-General for not doing all that he ought to have done. The Chief Secretary, in his opinion, ought not to have read the telegrams which he had that evening read to the House whatever might have been the nature of the attack made upon him. He did not mean to say that the censure might not have been in some degree called for, but still it was without precedent that such a censure on a public officer should have been read as had been read to the House that evening. It had destroyed the authority of the Inspector-General of Police, and had put an end to the efficiency of the force. (Hear.) He agreed with the hon. member for Balranald in thinking that the Inspector-General of Police had not been well used in the House. The hon. the Chief Secretary should have deferred his defence however much attacked. Such discussions as had taken place were to be deprecated, and were not likely to be attended with any benefit. He thought the best thing that the Chief Secretary could do was to organise the corps he spoke of as soon as he could. Mr. LUCAS condemned the system of the Irish Police, and contended that the force in this colony had not answered at all. Although the crime committed was executed within a radius of not more than 150 miles, the police could not take them — they remained uncaptured. He did not think there was so much sympathy in the in- fested districts as had been imagined. He believed the people were influenced rather by fear than by sympathy. He was sorry to hear the remarks made by the Colonial Secretary in reference to the conduct of the police who joined in the chase to which allusion had been made, and thought they would have a bad effect. If these bushrangers were not captured within a month from this time the sooner another force was engaged the better. He believed the rewards offered were not sufficient, and that it would be beneficial to the country if £5000 or £10,000 were offered for the capture of these men. He was of opinion that if a reward of £10,000 were offered these men would not remain at large fourteen days. He was glad the hon. Colonial Secretary had taken a de- cided step at last, and he trusted that he would carry out his threat, and organise a new force if those men were not taken within the month. It had been said that the bushrangers were harboured by free selectors, and that free selection was the cause of the bushranging ; but that could not be the case, because free selection had only been in operation about two years, whereas these bush- rangers, or some of them, committed depredations three or four years ago. They were not free selectors. They had been connected with squatting pursuits. Some of them had cattle of their own, and had been small squatters, and some of them had been stockmen. He believed the hon. Colonial Secretary would have to return to something like the old system. Mr. ROTTON said he was very sorry that a handful of scoundrels such as were now in the Western districts should have been elevated to so much consequence as to have occa- sioned a debate in the Legislative Assembly. It had been stated that those men had created a sort of admiration amongst a certain class of people, and he held that everything which was done to add to their importance must tend to increase that admiration, if it really existed. He thought this debate ill-judged, and would not have joined in it but for the allegation that the inhabitants of the district referred to sympathised with the bushrangers. He was surprised to hear such an allegation from the hon. and rev. member for West Sydney, who visited that part of the country and must have satisfied himself of the respectable character of its inhabitants, many of whom were his own country- men. Dr. LANG : I made no general charge. Mr. ROTTON : I understood the hon. member to make a very general charge, and to say that the whole country sympathised with crime. Dr. LANG : I said no such thing. Mr. ROTTON : The honorable member for Kiama expressed himself in a like manner, and they had heard the honorable Colonial Secretary before to-night express himself in similar terms. The hon. Colonial Secretary had received a telegram from Mr. Morrisset (which he had shewn him, and to which he should not now have referred but that it had been shewn to many other hon. members, and had thus become public ) — stating that it was impossible for the police to take these men, or do anything with them, on account of the wholesale sympathy shewn towards them in the district. Now he was sure Mr. Morrisset must know a very great deal better than that. He (Mr. Rotten) felt certain that Mr. Morrisset had only made that excuse to cover his own inefficiency in not having secured these men, whom he ought to have taken long ago. Until recently there were only three noto- rious bushrangers, and lately two had been added ; but Mr. Morrisset had had under his charge — according to the statement of the Colonial Secretary — something over 100 men. These he could disperse into parties and station in different parts of the district according as his own judgment dictated. But with all this force, with black trackers to boot, and with information secretly given, he had not been able to capture these bushrangers. Mr. COWPER : He has convicted about twenty-five. Mr. ROTTON : But did he take them? Mr. COWPER : They were taken by the police. Mr. ROTTON : I scarcely recollect him having brought in one yet. The hon. member then continued : It was a foul libel upon the district to say that there was any sym- pathy shown to these men. No doubt there was sym- pathy shown to them by their own relatives, and some of them were the sons of small settlers in the neighbourhood who had in past years been known as bad characters. No doubt these received the stolen property; but to say that among the residents generally there was sympathy with these ruffians was nothing less than a gross falsehood and a foul libel. The reason why the inhabitants of the district did not give that assistance to the police was pretty well shown in a leading article of the Herald yesterday. It was not from a feeling of sympathy with the bushrangers, but a fear of the consequences. The residents, knowing the impotence of the police, who did not act upon the informa- tion given them, or, if they did, were not successful, felt that they would, when it became known that they had given such information, be at the mercy of the bush- rangers. Ever since the present Parliament met bush- rangers had been traversing the country between Sofala, Tuena, and Forbes, robbing, plundering, sticking up every one they came across; and the people knew the police never did take these men. They saw the police had no power, and said, “If we give information, the next thing will be that our own places will be stuck up, or our brains blown out.” There was, therefore, this excuse for the settlers abstaining from giving information to the police. Peisley carried on a career of crime for a considerable time, and was taken at last not by the polioe, but by a private person. Gardiner carried on a desperate career of robbery, until (as reported) he has got sufficient to go out of the country with a fortune, escaping from the police, whom he had actually bearded in their barracks. Hosie’s store was revisited, and, because the storekeeper had given information to the police, the bushrangers wantonly destroyed all they were not able to carry away. It was a foolish remark to say there was a general sympathy in the district with these men. It showed the inefficiency of the police, and if they were in a position to assert it, how was it that up to the present day they had not convicted a single individual for harbouring them ? Some of these officers were apt to make these remarks as an excuse for their own want of success. He knew a gentleman who ranked high in the police who, at a private table in his (Mr. R.’s) presence, mentioned the names of gentlemen as persons who harboured bush- rangers, and two of these gentlemen were magistrates and one had been a member of this House. He (Mr. R.) imme- diately took this officer to task about it, when he said he did not exactly mean to say they harboured bushrangers, but suffered them to come to their places to get refresh- ments without giving information to the police about it. Far from doing anything of the kind, they delivered up to justice men who they knew bad been guilty of cattle steal- ing. He had no doubt this officer had influenced the mind of the Colonial Secretary against these gentlemen. Again, it was said why did not the people in the neighbourhood band themselves together in some sort of corps to take these bushrangers ? There was a good reason why they did not ; they would be accused of taking the law into their own hands — of taking Lynch law. Besides, the Go- vernment had thrown out no inducements for private people to offer their services. If the Colonial Secretary had it in his power he ought long ago to have outlawed these ruffians, and put a reward upon their heads. Rewards were already offered for their appre- hension ; but it was questionable whether, if they should be shot, the rewards would be given. If, however, they were outlawed, they might be shot down like dogs — as they ought to be. It was folly for people who could scarcely realise the circumstances of some of the persons in the bush who had been the victims of those ruffians, to say they ought to do their best to take them. There was not in the colony a higher spirited man than Mr. Loudon, but he found himself utterly helpless in the circumstances in which he was attacked. If these people went in pursuit of the bushrangers, the bushrangers might, in the meantime, stick up their homes, and perhaps do violence to their families. He attributed the inefficiency of the police to the system, for he believed the present force contained as good men as any we had ever had. There were too many officers. He believed, beyond the commanding officer, and an officer occupying the position of adjutant, there ought not to be an officer above a sergeant. The system had too much of a military character ; the men could scarcely act in their in- dividual capacity. They had to wait for orders from their superior officers, and frequently the delay this required was the sole cause of failure. If the officers took the men into the bush, when they got tired of camp life the men had to return with them. If the men were acting under their own responsibility, they could go out into the bush and not return until they had tracked out their men, or until they were driven in from sheer necessity. It was in consequence of the semi-military character of the force, a character altogether foreign to the purpose for which it was required, that the force had proved so in- efficient. The system was bad in every way and in every respect, and he would give two or three instances to show the way it worked. Sergeant Middleton apprehended Gardiner after a severe conflict, in which he received three wounds. He was laid up for three months, and on coming into Bathurst for the first time, the residents made so much of him that he was in a manner forced into drinking more than he should have done. This was noticed, and he was disrated, and notwithstanding the interest made for him had not yet been replaced in his old position. Sergeant- major Lawrence, of the Western patrol, was accused of fraud, was committed, tried and, acquitted, the Judge telling him that he left the Court without a stain upon his character. But because, acting under legal advice, he declined to prosecute for perjury a man who had given evidence against him, he was dismissed. A select commit- tee of this House recommended his reinstatement. He was accordingly offered a post at Nowindra, an out-of-the-way place, to which he declined to go, and thus, by an easy mode, the Inspector-General had managed finally to dis- pose of him. The third case was that of sergeant Reeves, who had been in charge of the gold escort in the early days of the gold discovery. The mail in which he was with the gold went over the side of a mountain, and he had his leg broken, and subsequently suffered amputation. This man’s reward for over twenty-one years of Government service was 3s. a day. With these cases — and there were dozens like them — what encouragement was there for men to put themselves forward ? Hon. gentlemen might be sore that they never would do so when they saw old servant’s of the Government receiving such treatment as this. The motion for adjournment was put, and negatived with- out division.

15 October 1863

HOW THE POLICE GO AFTER THE BUSHRANGERS. (From the Bathurst Times.)

DURING the whole of Thursday and yester- day, some very ugly rumours, reflecting upon the conduct of the police, who went in pur- suit of the bushrangers on Tuesday night, were in circulation in the town; and, in the exercise of our duty, we now lay before our readers the following statement of facts, as the result of special inquiries made amongst those who were principally concerned in the robberies committed.

We do not intend to enter into the minutiæ of each depredation,– our object being to throw some publicity upon the proceedings of the police rather than of the bushrangers,–leaving our readers to form their own conclusions. In our last, it will be remembered, we re- ported that the bushrangers had “stuck up” Mr. Walker’s public-house, and that the po- lice had been left tracking them on foot.

From Mr. Walker’s, the robbers proceeded to the store of Mr. McDiarmid, where they forcibly entered the premises, and packed on their horses a variety of goods consisting of flannel, coats, waistcoats, trousers, woollen plaid, Crimean shirts, tobacco, and other stores, valued at between £40 and £50, be- sides about twenty-five shillings in silver. The bushrangers, five in number, remained on the premises about three-quarters of an hour, and left at a quarter past nine–the stolen goods being packed in front of their saddles, and reaching waist high.

They had one pack-horse, and owing to their being in- commoded by luggage, they (the robbers) were unable to go at a quick pace, so they left the store walking their horses. Ten miuutes after they had disappeared a body of police on foot, numbering twelve, made their appearance, under the command of Superintendent Morrissett, and were told of what had occurred and the time that had elapsed since the bushrangers departed.

It appeared the horses belonging to the troop bad been left some distance down the road in Mr. Lane’s paddock, so the police left the store to continue the pursuit on foot. After an absence of ten minutes they came back in a body, and held a consultation as to the pro- priety of sending for ytheir horses,–which course they ultimately decided on, despatching some men to bring them up.

Whilst waiting they borrowed four great-coats, two other coats, and a pair of spurs from Mr. McDiar- mid’s, and thus equipped, upon the arrival of their horses, they followed the direction taken by the bushrangers. (While thebushrangers were in Mr. McDiarmid’s store, a man in his employ, distinctly heard the tramp of the police horses as they came up to Mr. Lane’s paddock). The next places visited by the gang were the butcher’s shop belonging to Mr. Harper, and the hotel opposite, kept by Mr. Butler, called the Hen and Chickens; these being distant from M’Diarmid’s over two miles.

They arrived as Mr. Harper’s clock was striking ten; but here their numbers had increased to nine,–it is presumed by the accession of four bush telegraphs . They are described as coming along with the greatest leisure, as if inconvenienced by the “swags” they bore be- fore them. They did not search Mr. Harper’s house, but ordered him to, go over to the hotel where they followed him, and took what mo- ney they could procure from the landlady,– Mr. Butler being from home.

A lodger from the house (a German), who was asleep in one of the rooms, was then woke up by Gilbert, and asked if he had any money, when he an- swered, “Only some silver.” Not feeling satisfied, Gilbert searched him and found be- sides the silver, four or five notes in one of his pockets. He then turned upon the man, accused him of telling a lie, and said it was not their custom to take silver, but as he hated liars, he should do so in his case.

This man was a heavy sufferer, as before going, the rob- bers took from the stable a horse belonging to him, worth £15. The bushrangers treated every one in the place and having been on the premises, altogether, about half-an-hour, left, taking the direction of the Native Home Hotel–at a walking pace. When about thirty yards away, one of them returned for a loaf of bread he had left on a form outside, and upon its being handed to him, rejoined his companions. We now beg to draw attention to what follows:–

Scarcely had the retreating figures of the gang been lost in the darkness, when two troopers came up on foot, as if reconnoitring. (In order to give a correct estimate of the time supposed to have elapsed between the departure of the desperadoes and the coming of the two policemen, an individual, who was present, requested us to mark what time he occupied in doing certain actions, which he said he had performed during the interval that occurred.

This consisted in running about twenty yards down the road, passing through a house, and after calling a neigh- bour, coming out upon the roead again, where he met the troopers. We took notice of the time, as requested, and found just three- quarters of a minute were consumed. Several persons present, however, were of opinion that a longer space of time had intervened– fully three minutes.)

These troopers were immediately told of the close proximity of the bushrangers, upon which one of them gave a low whistle, when ten mounted men made their appearance–being Superintendent Morrissett and nine troopers. Mr. Morrissett was told how close he was upon the heels of the ruf- fians, and that, if he pushed ahead, he might drop upon them, when he replied, “It would never do to rush them, but he would follow their track until daylight.’’

The superinten- dent requested Mr. Harper to go with and show the police the road; but he told them he had no horse, and that there was not necessity for the road being pointed out, as it was fenced on both sides, and, moreover, being heavily laden, the bushrangers could only be a little way up the lane.

They then left at a steady walking pace, and, after a few minutes, returned in a body. Mr. Morrissett again asked Harper to get a horse, and go with them; but Mrs. Harper objected to the pro- posal, saying the police were paid for doing the work, while her husband was not, and that they ought to do their duty. Without any other apparent reason than the endeavour to persuade Mr. Harper to accompany them, they delayed, we are informed, fully ten min- utes during which they were remonstrated with, taunted, jeered at, when one of the troopers said they could not stir without or- ders. Mr. Harper told them he was sure the gang would make for the Native Home pub- lic-house,

about four miles distant, and then the police lett at a steady pace. What became of the troopers after this we do not know, but we are posssessed of infor- mation that the bushrangers stopped about two hundred yards above Butler’s public- house, (it is presumed to re-adjust the stores packed on their saddles, as a quantity of sugar was found next morning spilled upon the road), that one of them was singing and ano- ther whistling, that a discussion was held as to whether they should go back or not; and that one of them said “if we go back we are sure to meet them” (the police) whereupon they went forward.

Between eleven and twelve o’clock the robbers are said to have reached the Native Home, where it is also said five troopers were in bed,–being a party on their return to Bathurst. There were three drays camped close adjoining, and the bushrangers compelled one of the teamsters to rise and make them some tea, which he did and they then partook of supper,–no police making their appearance until six o’clock the following morning.

It will be in the recollection of our readers that the Inspector-General of police himself went out on Tuesday night, and the account given of the unwarrantably imperious man- ner in which he had behaved towards several highly respectable inhabitants of the Vale Road is such as to make his conduct highly reprehensible. Of one gentleman, who did not know him, and who did not immediately tell his name upon being asked, he inquired how he “dared” to be so tardy in his reply.

At the house of Mr. Roberts, who had re- ceived a visit from the bushrangers earlier in the evening, he threatened to have the door burst in, because that individual demurred to open it, as he was fearful the answer made to him upon his asking who was there, was merely a ruse of another pack of marauders.

The crowning point was reached at Mr. Walker’s, where after a considerable rattling at the door, the posse gained admittance, and Mr. Walker was asked very arrogantly, “How dare you smoke in the presence of the Inspector-General of Police?” and or- dered to take his pipe out of his mouth. He was then commanded to bring a light, and had to submit to the indignity of having his house searched–the police minutely inspecting the rooms and looking beneath the beds. Finding nothing worthy of remark, Captain M’Lerie came back to Bathurst. It must be borne in mind that the persons we have alluded to, had each been robbed that very evening. The bushrangers injured them. It was left to Cap- M’Lerie to insult them.

17 October 1863

BATHURST. Friday, 5.30 p.m.

Gilbert’s gang have held the town of Canowindra for three days, bailing up and detaining everybody that passe during that time, till at length they had about forty prisoners.

The bushrangers made them- selves agreeable by treating every one. Ben Ha,, at one time, went out to look after a trooper stationed near the town, and came back driving him before his horse at the point of a carbine, and told the trooper to go into the public house and remain there until he received further orders.

Bathurst Friday Evening

Further news has arrived of the doings of the bush- rangers, On Monday morning Gilbert, O’Malley, HaII, Vane, and Burke, visited Mr. Gran.’s house at Bellubula.

They did no mischief there ; but the same day they went to Canowindra, and stuck up all the teamsters, equestrians and pedestrians who come along that road.

On Tuesday Mr. Hibberson and Mr. Twaddle drove to Mr. Robin- son’s inn, at Canowindra, which they found in possession of Gilbert and his gang.

The two gentlemen were ordered inside, where they found several others in du ance vila. The bushrangers treated all the men to grog and cigars, and prevailed on the young ladies of the house to play the piano, whilst two of the rascals danced.

The bushrangers- drank nothing but ale. .They treated every one who would drink, and paid cash for the liquor. They stopped three drays on the road, took from those ia charge £3 . and a revolver.

Ten policemen started fr.om Cowra on hearing the news, but had not arrived at Canowindra when my informant left that town.- A num- ber of police started for Bathurst- yesterday, and were ordered not to return without fighting with, or taking the bushrangers.

26 October 1863

AFFRAY WITH GILBERT’S GANG. BURKE SHOT.

£500 RANSOM, PAID TO THE BUSHRANGERS. HEROIC CONDUCT OF MR. AND MRS. KEIGHTLEY. BATHURST,

Sunday, 25th, 6 p.m. GILBERT, O’Meally, Ben Hall, Vane, and Burke, yesterday evening made an attack upon the house of Mr. Commissioner Keightley situated at Dunn’s Plains, near Rockley.

Mr, Keightley was outside the house when the bushrangers rode up, and on being ordered to stand he rushed in at the door, five or six 8hcts being fired at him as he did so.

Seizing a double-barrelled gun, only one barrel of which was loaded, Mr. Keightley came to the door, and aiming at Burke, shot him in the abdomen, when he reeled and tottered to the side of the house, exclaiming “ I am done for.” Burke *nid he would never be taken alive, and then endeavoured to shoot, himself with his own re- volver, but he was unable to effect his purpose, for, after firing two shots unsuccessfully, he fell to the ground.

During the whole of this time, volley after volley was fired into the house by the other men. Mr. Keightley had no more ammunition, and was therefore compelled to surrender. When he did so the bushrangers were upon the point of shooting him down, but Mrs. Keightley ran before her husband, and by that means saved his life.

The bushrangers, however, took him prisoner, as also Dr. Peechey, who was there, and declared that if a ransom of £500 was not paid by two o’clock this day, they would Bhoot or hang them both. The two gentlemen were taken to the top of a hill near, and Mrs. Keightley, accompanied by young Mr. Peechy, rode into Bathurst to her father, Mr. Rotton, M.L.A. Mr. Rotton at once procured the money, and proceeding to the spot, handed it to the bushrangers, who liberated their prisoners.

It was not until after the money was paid that information could be given to the police, as the ruffians placed scouts to give them warning, and Mrs.

Keightley was told that both her hus- band and Dr. Peechey would be shot if faith was not kept. Dr. Peechey in the meantime had attended to Burke, who was alive but un- conscious, and in a fearful state. After the money had been paid the bushrangers procured a [cart, and took the almost lifeless body of Burke away with them. The police are now in pursuit.

From the Bathurst Times of Wednesday.)

On Snturdny evening, between six and seven o’clock, Gilbert, O’Mcally, Ken Hall, Vine, and Burke mane their appearance at the house of MT Ktigbtley, assistant gold commissioner, at DIUWB rinin-, Hockley. Mr. Keightley was at the door at the time, outside the house, and, feting llie men advancing, thought at first they «e«e policemen in disguise.

On their coming mi they called out to Lim to “bailup,” but. I without paying any attention to the command, . iie nn into the house-about thirty yards off I v. ii h the intention of arming himself- fuur or : fire sh’t”! being fired at him as he went.

It s seems Mr. Keightley had been esppcting a visit I from the gang. and had. provided himself }’ viith the necessary means of defence; but, Ê owinc to a most “”fortunate circumstance, i they «cíe beyond his reach at the very Î moment he required to use them. ¡Having occasion shortly before to send a letter to the post, he had dispatched it by a man stnant, who bears the character of being a trustworthy nnd courngeous fellow, and he, it appears, had taken a brace of revolvers with linn for his own protection. Snatching up a I” double barrelled gun (only one barrel of which ‘ was loaded), as also a revolver, Mr. Kcightley, £Ccompanicd by n guest, Dr. Pechey, took his . station at the door, where a shower of bullets K elected his appearance, some of them passing i within a hair’s breadth of their bodies, and » turning with a “ ping “ in the woodwork about ‘ the threshold. .!

The plan puisued by the bushrangers was to , keepuneler cover as much as possible, Burke ; from time to time creeping up at the side of the hou«e, and suddenly swinging his arm round, . managed in fhat way to fire at the gentlemen I as thn stood in the doorway. Vane is men H honed a« coming out in full view, and deli Ii berately taking aim Unwilling to risk a shot j at bim,

Mr. Keightley waited for the next approach of Burke, who carno up shortly afterwards in the way described, and incau i tioti«ly exposing his body, he was instantly shot ¡in the abdomen, whereupon he was seen to reel ] like a drurken man, and sagger to the side of I the1 hoti-e. Leaning with one hand against the | vull, he cried out, “ I’m done for, but I’ll not j be taken alive ;” and then with the other hand |he pulled out a revolver, and placiog it to his îhead, indeavoured to blow out his brains. The |first shot appears to have merely grazed the *tkin on his forehead, but the next blew away a ‘portion of his skull. He then fell to the ground.

Iahe bushrangers, seeing what had happened, rjstill continued to conceal themselves, while thay jkept up a constant fire upon the house. Dr. |Pecliey. at this juncture, made a rush across |the jard towards a kitchen, in the endeavour to icbtain pos session of a gun placed there, belong jing to the servant, William Baldock, whom we shdve mentioned as having bsen dispatched ti IRockley. He was, however, encountered by [Vane, vho, presenting a revolver, ordered him jback, at the same time firing at him. The ¡doctor accordingly retraced his steps. |

The two gentlemen unable, by reason of the ttactics pursued, to get a shot at their assailant?, «now resoked to effect a change in their posi- tion, and with this object in view, they walked »’out of the door, and, by means of a ladder, ^’deliberately mounted to a loft above the home, ‘.being exposed the whole time to an incessant ‘fire; but although tho bullets passed around (.”ftcm in a shower-some cutting through Mr, IKeightlej’s beard and hat-miraculous to say, fthey reached their destination unhurt.

The Ibushrangers still kept under cover, and fired tbout twenty sho’s at the loft, when Gilbert called out to them to come down, and Ben Hall said if they did not they would burn aie house. Mr. Keightley, fearing tint they |VTould carry their threat into execution, and tarhaps murder his wife and child, who were ijelow, determined to give himself up, and [accordingly called out his intention to surren- der. On reaching the ground, Vane ran up I to Dr. Pechey, and struck him with the butt !«nd of his revolver a violent blow on the fore lead, immediately above the left eyebrow which knocked him down.

Mr. Keightley re- monstrated, asking him why he treated him in that manner, when Vane made some answer, fchicb showed that he mistook the doctor for Mr. Keightley, whom they believed to have teen the instigator of the resistance they had “esperienccd.

1 Just at this moment some persons-iti the era plovment of Mr. William Bowman, whose sta- tion is in close proximity, were observed stand- ing on a rise of ground. [In justice to these, it must he mentioned that, through private ineans, we are possessed of information which ^exonerates them from the charge of standing coldlj by while the murderous assault was going ÍCTO,

It seems Mr. Keightley has been in the rlabit of firing for practice, accordingly the teportä of the fircjrms created no surprise, and jUas not until the voice of Ben Hall was Ltcard, threatening to bu.n the house do.vn, »hat their attention was aroused, and they came Op the hill to see what was going on.”]

Ben Ijpll at once fetched them down in a body to Sphere the others were standing; and sucha |cene was presented as we trust it will never be cur fute to chronicle again. In one corner of we yard lay the boy highwayman, while on por- tón of the well frame sat Mr Keightley, under ;«ni|nce of death,-Vane standing close to him loading the gun with which Burke had been toot.

Mrs Keightley turned to the others and ttnplortd them to spare her 1- .band’s life, but «uii.ngiy without avail. Vane said doggedly »hat Burke and he had been brought up as boys together, that they had been mates ever since, «M hat the gun that bad deprived him of life Vn»¡Y* turn takc tho life of thc man who «uied him.

The gun being loaded, he threw it li* 4 , «“’ and turninS t0 Mr. Keightley told um to follow him down the paddock. In frantic »gua ion Mrs. Keightley ran up to Ben Hal!, ?yu clutching bimby the coat collar.said “Iknow lPm Jien Hal1- and they say you are the most |»uma,)e respectable, and best of them all ; for gw» toke do not let them murder my husband Efii 1lfe!’’ Sne then turned to Gilbert, ?«a addressing him ia similar terms, begged W» o.interfere (O’Meally, it appear., was away CL”, eí the horaes) !

Gilbert and Hall ISv!« . Jbe.moved» and the latter «Ned out E^ane to desist. HctÄy .ensued’ wlien Gilbert atld Hall ?*Ä i , ?terms uP°n which Mr. Keightley’s ír,íff ¿Vpaíed’ T- tbat as the Govern” Cke’?î’P,Med five hundred P°und8 upon « h.J *’the amount °f tlie reward should E?(°yer.t0 t]*T> and they agreed to Edi ?ami ti?e/tU1 two »’dock the folio» p.«?’ SUr?da5 íor th° production of the Ndittnv« I.

iCley then exaTned Burke »dla r f a nhl!,^trails’in a Rightfully tom «ii ?dll0D’ were protruding. He ti id hf:nS,’íh10Ugh unc°Tious, and the aid hc Could d° very little for him with out his instruments. He asked, if one of them would go into Hockley, and ft-tch what he íe quired, but they said it would be of no use, and that it would be better to shoot him at once and so end his misery.

The doctor thought some- thing ought to bp done, and at length prevailed upon them to let him go Rnd obtain such things as he wanted, having fitst pledged lus honour that he would not raise an alaim. Betöre he re turred the man was dead. We have ¡-aid O’Meal!) was absent, and Mrs. Ktightlej, fearing lest be might not agree to accejit the ransom, pievaitcd upon one of the pail) to fetch him.

Whin he carne, he af first refuhcd to listen to the proposal, and dechred his intention to revenge the death of his com- panion ; but he was, however, eventually pncifudby the others. They then went into the house, and remained there for a consider- able time, awaiting Dr. Peche) ‘s return, and drank some spuds and wine, Mrs. Keightley having first tasted it, in order to assure them the liquor was not drugged Some conveisation passed, in which the bushrangers said that the reason Burke was so daung, arose from the fact that tin y had just previousl) been twitting him with the want of courage, and seemingly he was determined to convince them to the con- trat).

In ansvvei to a question from Mr-.. Kcightle), as to what could induce them to pur- sue the course they did, when, by the many robberies the) commuted, they must possess considerable wealth, Gilbert leplied-that, with all their depredations, they Lad not so much as would keep them a week. Arrangements weie net made for the pay- ment of the ransom Mr Keightley was taken to a place called the Dog Rocks, on a hill neal, and Mrs Keightley was warned that if any in foimation was given b) which the police might be brought dow n upon them they would shoot hci husband immediately. She was to go into Bathurst with Dr. Pechey, and fetch the money, and if any treachery was attempted, after shooting Mr Keightley, they said they would come down and fight those who approached for the £500.

The position they took upon the hill enabled them to overlook the road, so that they could seo whoever might arrive, and it was stipulated that Dr. Peche) should alone I approach them with the money. Burke being ‘ dead, two of the men, engaged at Mr. Bow- man’s, were hired to take the body in a spring cart to the house of his father, being paid £2 each for the service by the bushrangers. On the return of Dr. Pechey, Mrs. Keightley, under his escort, rode into Bathurst, where she sought, out her father, Mr. Kotton, M.L.A..

That gentleman instantly repaired to the Com- mercial Bank (it being about four o’clock in the morning) and procured the sum lequired, with which, accompanied by Dr. Pechey, he started to Dunn’s Plains, where upon its being handed over to the party by the bravo doctor, Mr. Keightley was [set at liberty, “and soon after arrived in safety at Bathurst.

A body of police had, however, some lime previously started in pursuit of the gang. Mr. Keightley speaks most favourably of the manner in which he was treated during his captivity, and it seems he had a long conversa- tion in the night with one or two of them, in which he was told that the gang would never have come into Bathurst, or visited him, had it not been for the taunts received from two in- dividuals who ought to have Known better than to spur them to the enterprise. They denied ever having threatened to use any violence towards him, but being told that he (Keightly) was a splendid shot, and would riddle them through, as he was in the habit of practising nt a target, they imagined he must be possessed of first class weapons, and the desire to possess these, as well as to test his courage, had induced them to make the attack they had.

Personally, they did not know him. Once in the night, the galloping of horses was heard, and as for some time the bushrangers had taken it in turns to rest-two sleeping while the others watched Gilbert, who was standing sentry over the pri- soner, went up to the sleepers, and touched them gently with his foot, calling them quietly by name. They jumped up without noise, aid held their weapons in readiness, but as the sound drew nearer, it was dicovered to emanate from a passing mob of bush horses. The day before the occurrence took place which we have just described, Sub-inspector Davidson with some troopers were encamped near to Mr. Kcightley’s house, and the bush- rangers told Mr. Keightley that they had been watching them through the night, and men- tioned several little incidents that had tran- spired, in proof of their assertion.

Mr. David- son, it appears, declined to accept the accamma I dation proffered by Mr. Keightley, preferring to sleep out with his men, and Mr. Keightley I was told of what happened during a visit he hail paid the party, and also that they (the bushrangers) had been watching both him and the neighbourhood the whole day through. There are one or two circumstances which we have omitted to mention, but we believe the narrative we have given contains everything connected with the matter which can be reliecl upon. As displaying the courage evinced by Mrs. Keightley, it is perhaps worthy of remark that upon the two gentlemen having lefc the door- way and gained the loft, that lady, undaunted by the firing which was going on, came up into the passage, closed the door, and barred it so as to prevent the entry of the bushrangers.

As she did so, we learn, she unconsciously shut out her own little sister, who appears to have been standing in the yard during the whole fray, and it is also said was actually standing by the side of Burke when he received his death-wound. The Bathurst Free Press of the same date adds : –

A communication was received in Bathurst on Tuesday, to the effect that ten troopers from Cowra had arrived at Rockley. They said that twelve of them had left Cowra in company, and on their way across the country had met the two men who had charge of the body of Burke in Mr. Keightley’s cart. Two of the troopers then took charge of the corpse and returned with the cart, intending to see it safely delivered to the authorities at Carcoar. We have reason to believe that their mission was safely accomplished.

16 September 1863

13 November 1863 THE BUSHRANGERS AT CANOWINDRA. (From the Bathurst Times of Wednesday.)

Iv our last is°uc we published tho details of a report which had re-icbed us concerning the doings of the bushrangers and the police, in the neighbourhood of Canowindra, without, however, being in a position to % ouch for the truth of the circumstnncs re- lated fly tho kindness of a gentleman, who armed m Bathurst on Monday morning, we are now enabled to give reliable informa- tion of m hut transpired.

Last Wednesday morning, at half-paEt one o’clock, Gilbert, 0 Vleally, and Ben Hall, went to the hotel of Mr Robinson, and ¿necked at tho door, replying, when asked, “ V no’s there ‘ ‘ that ibcj were “ Police.” lhe door was opened by Mr Robinson, ?«lien le was confronted by Ben Hall, holding two reohers le died at him.

The fellow asked whether there wcie any police in the house and was answered in the rrgative He then inquired whether thero were .my in the neighbourhood, but as Mr. Robinson had only that c cnu g returned from 1 orbes he told him he w as unable to say.

Cilbrrtaml O’Meally were Funding close by, and they all en- tered the bar and drank nobblers. They hnd some conversation with Mr Robinson, in the course of whieb, they said Vane had left them, but they did net much regret his 8b ence, as they felt more secure with the «maller party They stopped altogether about a quarter of in hour, and as they left took two bottles of 1 ort wine and two of o’d tom, which thoy offered to pay for with a £5 note, but which Mr Robinson could not change, they cau- tioned him, bowov cr, not to montioi anything about their visit, a& they said they wanted, if possible, to “ clear out” quietly Mr, Keiran Cummings, J.F , was sleeping in the house, it appears, and Mr. Robinson considered it his duty to report to him w hat had occurred, and accordingly did so

It was then decided that as the only police acsistance to bo procured waa that of a trooper stationed in the barracks, about half-a-nule off, It would scarcely be prudent to risk an encoumer with lhe bushrangers in order to acquaint him’ with the circumstances, so the sending of a communication wa« deferred till the following day

In the morning, Mr, Superin- tendent Chatfield arrhed with five men and a blick tracker, and as soon as bi6 horses were fed, and he and his rúen had partaken ol breakfast, he started in pursuit towards 3-ugowra After riding about sev cn miles, they came in sight of the three villains, surrounding another horseman, a Mr, Birkett (weil known in the locality), who had been just stuck-up by them.

Directly the bushrangers saw the pelice they started off at a gallop, Mr, Hlrkelt’s horse, as he afterwards related, joining the others in the rush, and carrying him with them some distance before he could pull up.

As soon as ho was able to stop his horse he jumped ott, and the police at the same moment came up and dismounted alfo, snd without heeding what ho said to them, they commenced to fire upon him. He called out »” For God’s sake don’t shoot me,” and held up his hands. Hehad no firearms, and two of the party made up to him,-one struck at him w ith a rev oh er, and the other aimed a blow at his head with the butt-end of his ride, which lir Hirkett warded off with his arm, crying, “ Kill the b-y wretch

“ Mr. Chatfield, it appears, ordered them to desist when they handcuffed him, and taking his horse away, tola him to remain m the road until some one came to fetch him away. They then went in pursuit of the bushrangers It is necessary to mention that Mr. Birkett bear« a highly respectable character in the neighbourhood, and those who know him indignantly scout the idea that there could be any complicity between him and the bushrangers, which is the only supposition that can be entertained ns to the motives that actuated the police in their attack upon him.

Moreover, it is said the police were well acquainted with him, and that he bad breakfasted with them tint morning, and, as can be proved by others, he did not leav e the hotel until some time after they took their departure, when it appears he went by the main road, while the police bad taken to the bush. 4cc?r ding to his own statement, he fell into the hands of the bushrangers, who at once recognised him, and accused him of having at one time gone out with Sir Frederick Pottinger, in order to effect their capture.

They said they would “ scrv e him out “ for it, bj taking him into the bush and tying him to a tree, and it was while thej were con- veying him along to execute their threat, thvt the police came in eifcht, Mr. Hirkett waited, in obedience to the orders he had received, for two or three hours, and then, weary of waiting any longer, he w alked, handcuffed as.ho was,¡into Canowindra, bringing with him one of the trooper’s revohers, which, cither through hurry or night, had been dropped at his feet.

He arrived in town about two p m., and related what had occurred, and mentioned the fact that, while the police were «urrounding him, ho noticed the bush- rangers walkiDg leisurely up the hill, leading their horses, with their carbines thrown carelessly over their arms, turning occa- sionally round, as if witching what was going on

After the lapse of half-an hour, by which time Hirkett had managed to rid himself of the handcuffs, Sir F Pottinger and .mother party of rolicc arrived, when he wis told of what had happened, and Mr Hirkett mentioned his having been stuck up by the bushrangers Sir Ircderick is said to have turned upon him instantly with the remark-” v ou are a liar, Ilirkctt,” which he follow ed up by the following «entence-”I will give you three chances, either put me on the track of the bushrangers, stand your mai, or couith thebushrangets ‘”

Mr Hirkett elected to show them the tracks, and after doing so was told that ho might go, but that he mu«t hold himself in readiness to appear when called on. Mr. Hirkett remained m Canowindra that night, and till about two o’clock the next day ( I hursday) when Superintendent Chat- field and party returned, They immediatelv re arrested and handcuffed him , kept him prisoner that day and night, and until the following evening, when they sent him under escort to tho lock-up at Cowra, where he was lying w hen our informant left the locality, _____^^__^^____^^^ liiE Bi’HiUNGEits makEigombi-

The Lachlan forrest ocdtnt tf the Bathurst Times writes to that journal ob follows -The three draymen who were favoured with on interview with Messrs Gilbert, O Mcally, and Hall, rear Eugowra, on Thursday, arrived in lorbea yesterday The account they give of the meeting ia as follows They weie on the road from Carcoar to Torbes in charge of three teams laden with potatoes, corn, and chad and had camped on Wednesday nignt eeien miles theother side of Eugowra Creek, or aVout thirtv-llve miles from thia píaos

On Thursday morning about six o’clock they had just kindled a fire and put on the billy preparatory to breakfasting, when the three bushrangera galloped up to them One of tho draymen immediately recognised them, and acoo8t->d the chief with

“Good morning Mr. Gilbert1 ‘ “ Good morn- ing ‘ was the reply, “ Get us some breakfast, and be quick about if’ This peremptory order wa9 obey id with the utmost alacrity, and when the bushrangera had commenced active operations on the bush fare eet before them – which they lost no time in doing-the order was given to feed their horses Eut beforo the order could bo complied with, and ere they had finished their breakfast, seven troopers were seen coming down the road

“ Te saddle ‘ “ shouted Gdbert, end a minute after the three men were galloping fioroaly nerosB the hush, with the police in hot pnreuit Before the poltee had advanced far, however, Ben Hall’s horse got bogged in a swamp that crossed the line of retreat Hall immediately dismounted, while the other two desperadoes drew up beside their comrade, and with a revolver in eaoh hand awaited tbe onset of the “force.” Hall, on unhorsing, loet no time, but drew a bayonet pistol from his belt, and “ prodded “ hie horse with the point of it, at the same time lifting the animal with the bridle

After a short struggle, the horse extricated itself, but in the meantime the troopers bad approached within (so it la reported) twenty yarda, and opened fire with their breech-loaders but without effect,

Gil- bert and O’Meally standing in the position above stated, bat without returning the fire. As a matter of course nene of the shots were effective, and on Hall leaping into the saddle the gang started off afresh, the troopers fallowing.

My informant states that he watched the progress of the belligerent« for a great distance, and could obaerve that the police lost ground at every stride. It has since been made known that the police after a prolonged chase lost sight of the freebooters, as usual, and returned, with their hones considerably blown. If these are the actual foots of the case-and there appears ino reaeo» foi doubting them -we have another illustration of the, peculiar construction 1 of the New South Wales «‘ military »? polio?,

21 November 1863

21 November 1863 ANOTHER BUSHRANGER SHOT. FORBES. Friday

Three armed bushrangers attacked David Camp- bell’s place at Gombla, last night at a quarter eight. Mr. Campbell defended his house and kept the scoundrels at bay for two hours and finally shot either Gilbert or O’Meally. The Magistrate is just starting to hold a magisterial enquiry on the body. 23 November 1863

TE BUSHRANGERS.

ATTACK ON GOIMBLA STATION. DIABOLICAL INCENDIARISM. DEATH OF O’MEALLY AND INQUEST ON THE BODY. HEROISM OF MR. AND MRS. CAMPBELL.

Sunday, 10 p m. ON the nigut of ‘Ihursdaj, the 19th instant, the station of Mr Davitt Henry Campbell, known as Qoimbh, ind distant about thirt) two miles from 1 othes, was attacked b} the three bush- rangers, Gilbert, O’Meall), and Ben Hall, it a quarter to nine o clock, who, from the two hours’ career the) pursued in that memorable, and io one of them-fatal night, were evidently as much actuated bj a thirst for vengeance as by motives of spoliation

It will be recollected bj thoso who have perused jour columns, that Mr Campbell his made no secret ol his abhorrence ol these lawless freebooters, and that, stimulated bj their repe ited outrages in this neighbourhood, he some time ago started out in pursuit of them, accompanied bj a few of his immediate friends lins was a sufficient cause of offence to the “ gentlemen of the road,” and their fiendish lescntment has been on more than one occasion openlj expressed True io their promise, as the) havo gcnerillj proved themselves to be, “ they came, they saw,” but thej did not comiuer

Your corre- spondent, however, assumes that a grateful counti) will not peimit the man who bravely imperilled his hfe in defence of Ins famil) and fireside against considerable odds, and who, in the peiformance of a noble act of dut), ridded societ) of as ruthless and reckless a criminal as ever infested the tern torj, –

I repeat will not permit Mr Campbell to remain a sufferer in the loss of his propert) He feels assured that if a sum of money was placed upon the Estimates to reimburse Mr Campbell for the serious loss he has sustained in the destruction of his propert), it would be promptl) granted bj the Legislature, and would be accompanied b) such an expression of the sense the House must enteitam of his service and chivalrous daring, as well as that manifested b) his brother and accomplished w lfe, as would prov e far more grateful than any mere pecuniar) compensation

As the details of the affair aro given tit extenso m the depositions, an abbreviated copy of which is herewith for- warded, it is unneces8arj in these prefatory remarks to give more than a brief outline of the affair

It appears that the first notification Mr Campbell had of the presence of his unwelcome visitors, was the sound of footsteps under the front verandah of the houoe at a quarter before nine p m , and that, suspecting the true cause of the sound, he sprang towards the chimney corner, where two double barrelled fowling pieces weie ranged, read} loaded, and seized one of them, with which he quickly retreated into an adjoining room Mrs Campbell, at the tame moment, rushing into her bedroom, and Mr. Campbell’s brother, Mr. William Campbell, retiring through Hie back door. When Mr. Campbell presented himself at the inside door of the room above referred to, he found himself confronted by one of the bushrangers, who stood at an outer door ef the same room, entering upon the verandah.

This fellow at once presented his his piece and fired twice ! one ball entering the wall on the right of where Mr. Campbell stood, and the other, on the left. Mr. Campbell replied b)’ a shot from his piece, but on this occa- sion ineffectually. The villain then hastily retreated round the end of the house to the front of the house, and rejoined his comrades, who, after repeated volleys and demands to surrender, to one of which Mr. Campbell replied that he was ready, and incited the miscreants to come on, they proceeded deliberately to set fire to the barn and stabling, which formed two sides of a quadrangle. As the barn con- tained a large quantity of hay, the whole struc- ture was quickly in flames, which raged so fiercely that tho premises in the immediate vicinity were brilliantly illuminated ; and here occurred an incident which, for heartlessness and revolting cruelty, beggars description.

Inside the blazing enclosure was a favourite animal of Mr. Campbell’s, which speedily began to suffer from the heat. As its agonies increased with the increasing flames the suffering brute sent forth piteous and im- ploring cries for release, and galloped furiously to every accustomed outlet in vain.

All ex- postulations and entreaties on behalf of the sinless animal were fruitless and he was literally roasted alive beneath the taunts and jeers of his brutal gaolers. The highly courageous conduct of Mrs. Campbell during the most trying ordeal to which woman’s courage could be subjected is W’Oithy of special notice. In the early stage of the drama whose incidents your correspondent is faintly endeavouring to describe, it was indispensable to Mr. Campbell’s chances of a prolongation of the contest that the second fowling-pice which was left in the chimney-corner, together with a powder flask and balls which lay upon the end of the mantel-piece, in con- tiguity with the corner, should be procured.

To obtain possession of them involved great per- sonal danger, inasmuch as the window opposite was in possession of the bushrangers. But this, Mrs. Campbell ventured to incur, whilst her husband remained at his post. Rushing into the apartment, which was lit up by the kerosene lamp, she hurriedly snatched up the gun and powder-flask, and as hurriedly retraced her steps. Eut she was not permitted to return unmolested.

As if to give the lie to such lauded forbearance and boasted chivalry of this band in all cases in which females have been concerned, the ruffians fired a volley through the window upon her retreating figure, and the evidences of their murderous intentions are written upon the opposite walls in bullet marks, fortunately she escaped unhurt and rejoined her husband, by whose side ex- cept at brief intervals she patiently awaited the issue of the contest which bore promise of a fearful tragedy.

The finish at length ap- proached, the flames continued to rage, and firing had been suspended for half an hour, -the house meanwhile remaining in solemn silence; . During this period Mr. and Mrs. Campbell had ensconced themselves between two parallel walls which formed a passage from the house into the kitchen, when becoming anxious as to the whereabouts of the beseigers, Mr. Campbell suggested that Mrs. Campbell fihould proceed stealthily into the front apart- ment and reconnoitre; she did so, and observed the three men standing be- hind a paling fence fronting the bouse, apparently intent in noticing the progress of the conflagration.

Seizing the opportunity which the information supplied, Mr. Campbell sped quietly round the end of the house to the opposite angle, which, fortunately, “was cast into the shade by the blazing building at the opposite end. There he saw the three men standing as desctibed by Mrs Campbell, and, steadil) raising his piece to the level of the neck of the uppermost, he pulled the trigger, and, as the sequel showed, ridded the neigh- bourhood and the country of one of the most remorseless and bloodthirsty ruffians the colony ever pioducíd

Infoimation of a few of the leading facts aboro narrated having been communicated to Mr W. 1 arrara, police magistrate, on the forenoon of Inda), he proceeded to the spot to hold a magisterial enquir) over the deceased bush- ranger Ile airived about nine o’clock p m , and proceeded with the business of învcliga lion, which terminated about two o’clock on fcaturdaj morning Ihe result is given under- neath

As Saturdaj daw ned upon the smoking ruins, the place presented a melancholy spectacle. Lv er) thing combustible inside and around the tottenng walls of the barns and stables have disappeaied, and the ch tried remains of the dead horse, swollen to nearly double its natural si/e,

la) inside the enclosure is o vestige of neail) £1100 worth of propert) remains save the crumbling shells of the two buildings Under the verandah of an out building hard b) la) the disfigured corpse of the dead bushranger. Ihe bod), covered b) pirt of a wool- pack and the face

b) a towel It was elad m a corduro), buckskin, high boots with spurs, and three crimean shirts, underneath his neck laj a white comfortci Undeineath the ear on the right side of the neck was a gaping wound extending through the vertebre, which was completely shattered b) the ball Decom- position had set in, and the wound was dis churging freely.

The hair, which was dark auburn, was saturated with blood, as was also the beard under the chin. The features wore a scowl, and the mouth an expression as if the man had died uttering curses and imprecations. As he had been detestable in life his figure was hideous in death, and his feats will add a fearful chapter in the criminal history of New South Wales.

At twenty-two years of agc he died a robber and murderer of the worst type. By the bullet he had chosen to earn his bread, and by the bullet he met his death. His features were small but coarse, and betokened habitual indulgence in the brutal passions. His frame was athletic, his arms muscular, his hands as small and delicate as a lady’s.

His lower limbs were light and apparently well knit, and his figure a3 a whole gave the impression of activity and strength combined in more than an ordinary degree.. It was at first intended to remove his remains te Forbes for interment, but tue rapid progress of decomposition, owing to the heat of the weather, rendered this impossible. They were interred at Goimbla on the near bank of the Eugowra Creek. .

It is almost needless to state that the con- duct of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell throughout Tuesday night’s tragedy is the theme of univer- sal admiration, and it is in contemplation to convene a public meeting at an early oppor- tunity for the adoption of an atldress, expressing in suitable terms the high appreciation in which it is held by the inhabitants of the Lachlan.

This is a movement in the right direction. A document worthy of the occasion would be no unworthy heirloom for transmission to the worthy couple’s successors. That such a I movement will meet with the success it deserves cannot be doubted. The following is an abstract from Mr. Camp- bell’s deposition, at the magisterial enquiry held by Mr. Farrand, P.M.

David Henry Campbell on oath states:-I am a squatter and a magistrate of the territory of New South Wales. While seated in my drawing-room last evening (Thursday), I was startled by footsteps on the front verandah. I grasped my double-barrel gun, and first passed through my bedroom to the back door of my dressing-room. I was intercepted by a man who fired two barrels at my face. I retired by firing my gun at him whereupon he retreated. I followed him to the corner of the house, and saw the others at the front door well armed.

I rushed to my bedroom for arms and ammunition which were in the drawing-room, which was lighted, and the blinds were raised. My wife ru«neü to secure tliem under i olie5 from the bushrangers She « as unarmed I reloaded, and, together, we rushed along the room to a back outlet and took up m) portion betw een tw o slab walls leading to the kitchen, and thus commanded ever) corner in safeU In about a qu irtei of an hcur several «hots weie fired simultmeously fiom diflerent directions when one of the men c tiled otu

‘ If you don’t surrender, we will burn the phce down” I replied, “ Come on , I ami ead) for j ou “ One replied, “ Oh, that is it “’ In a few moments the fire w is kindled it the barn, and, dm en by the increasing light, the bushrangeis retired into the out paddock and remained behind the fencp, forty yards from the front verandah

The lamp had been removed, ina the blinds dropped My wife witched their proceedings and informed mc thit a man with a cabbage tree hat stood watching tue flimes, I rushed lound the house to the front corner, took a calm deliberate aim at the fellow’s throat, I fiicd ind returned to load my gun Just befoie this several shotc were fired it the dnwmg room, and was cilled upon to surren- der 1 did not reply

At half past 11 o clock I cautioush approached the spot where the man ifood, ind on the opposite side of the fence found a calbine and cabbage tree hit, which I «ecured At davlight I visited the spot with the constable, and saw two yards from the fence 1 pool of blood We followed a track into the oaks, ind discovered the body of the man, who was wounded in the neck Imme- diately on firing the man disappeared-no sound was uttered lhe deceised’s pockets had been rifled and his ring removed from his right little finger

23 November 1863

BREAKING UP OF THE GANG OF BUSHRANGERS. SURRENDER OF VANE

On Thursday morning a rumour went flying round the town that the bushranger Vane had been brought into Bathurst by the Rev. Father McCarthy, who had persuaded him to give himself up, and that the delinquent was lodged in the gaol.

The fact was ulti- mately ascertained to be true, and the following are such par- ticulars as we have been enabled to glean:- It appears that Father McCarthy has had several interviews with Vane in the bush near the Abercrombie, having, on the first time, accidentally come upon his camp whilst he (Vane) was cooking his dinner, his horse hobbled, and his gun and revolvers lying on the ground.

Vane, upon catching sight of the reverend gentleman, grasped his firearms, when Mr. McCarthy called out that he was a priest, and not a trooper. Upon this announcement Vane dropped his arms, and invited his visitor to a share of his meal, and whilst partaking of this the conversation turned upon the lawless life the bush rangcr was leading, and at the earnest persuasion and reasonings of Father McCarthy, the unfortunate youth promised seriously to consider the position he was placed in, and agreed, at the end of three days, to give an answer whether he would take the advice proffered to him-to give him- self up, and trust to the merciful consideration of the Crown.

Upon this Father McCarthy went on his way homewards, but had not gone more than three miles when he met a very respect- able looking woman, who, in the course of conversation declared herself to be the mother of Vane.

The reverend gentleman told her of the interview he had just had with her son, when she im- plored him, by his sacred calling, to return with her and en- deavour, by joining his influence with hers, to persuade the mis- guided youth to surrender.

The arguments and prayers of the mother and the priest at length prevailed, and it was arranged that 0n that night he should come to Hallow Grove, Carcoar, the residence of the Rev. Mr. McCarthy. He seems to be possessed of considerable strength of mind, for, from the moment his reso- lution was taken, he did not hesitate to carry it into effect, but, punctual to the moment, arrived at the place and time appointed.

The reverend gentleman at once accompanied him to the residence of Mr Nathaniel Conolly, J.P., to whom he formally surrendered himself, and from whom they obtained such documents as would prevent the interference of the troopers, should any happen to stop them on the road. They started for Bathurst at midnight, and arrived here about five o’clock in the morning, when they put up at Mrs Walsh’s, Fitzroy Inn, George-street, and after a little rest, Father McCarthy put himself in communication with Mr. Superintendent Morrissett. Shortly after he returned to Vane, and they had breakfast together, and the Rev Dean Grant having joined them, they went down to the Court house about ten o’clock, when, after going through a preliminary examination, the misguided young man, in company with the reverend gentlemen and Dr Palmer, proceeded to the gaol, where he awaits further examination, being remanded to the 26th instant.

Vane is a native of the colony, twenty years of age, stands six feet high, and has a ruddy complexion, with black hair, and is said to be a Wesleyan, His parents are respectable and wealthy, and live about eleven miles from Carcoar, at a place called Number One.

The reasons he gives as those which induced him to turn bushranger are, that he was implicated in the sticking up of Boyce’s public bouse at the Long Swamp, on the 12th February last, and, knowing the police to be after him, he became fright- ened, and took to the bush, where he fell in with Gilbert and O’Meally.

It will be in the recollection of our readers that William and (his brother), James Burke, and George Cheshire were tried for this robbery at the last Quarter Sessions, an ac- complice, named John M’Keller, having turned approver, but, in consequence of his evidence being unsupported, and the other witnesses being unable to identify the prisoners, they were all ac- quitted We are informed that before he was taken to the gaol, and when in company with Father M’Carthy, they came in contact with constable Sutton, who, it will be remembered, was shot in the shoulder at the time of the attack on the Carcoar mail, but when asked if he knew Vane, he said he did not Some time after, in the gaol, he was confronted again with the prisoner in the presence of Dr Palmer, when, upon closely inspecting him, he gave it as his opinion that he was “very like O’Meally “

In allusion to this attack on the coach, Vane said that a bullet fired by Superintendent Morrissett had struck O’Meally in the chest, . but did him no harm, as it came in contact with a watch he had in his pocket, three-quarters of which it shivered to atoms, having nothing but a small section of the case attached to the ring at the end of the guard. It “ knocked the wind out of him “ for a time, and he now wears the remainder as a sort of “charm”

At the Police Court, on Wednesday, before Dr Palmer, P.M.; Messrs. T. H. Hawkins, J W. Lowe, P M’Donagh, J F. Clements, J. Loudon, J MacPhlllamy, and D. Kinna, J.Ps. John Vane, charged with bushranging, was again brought up for re-examination. The attack on Mr Keightley was first gone into.

Dr Pechey was further examined, and deposed that at the time Mr Keightley was in the passage, he was standing behind him. When he came down from the roof, he went to look at Burke’s body, and saw the bowels protruding from the abdomen.

Blood was coming from the mouth and nostrils, and there appeared to be a wound on the head. One of the bushrangers said that Burke had blown his own brains out. After seeing the body he went into Rockley for his instruments, and on coming back, Burke was dead.

He assisted to put the body into a cart, and it was taken away. He heard that it was to go towards Carcoar. A German and one of M’Donald’s men went with it. About two feet of the bowels were protruding, which would ultimately have produced death, he did not notice any injury to the bowels. T

he wound was of such a nature as must have produced death. A portion of the deceased’s shirt had been driven into the wound, The shot must have been fired quite close to him—he should think a yard or two.

ROBBERY UNDER ARMS.—John Vane was again brought up charged with being concerned in the robbery of Mr. John Loudon’s house, at Grubbenbong, about fifteen miles from Carcoar.

John Loudon, a justice of the peace, deposed, that he had known the prisoner at the bar ever since he was a child. On the evening of the 26th September, about ten o’clock at night, the family were sitting at supper, when the servant called out that some police had come.

Witness heard them at the back door, and going into the lobby called out, “Who’s in charge?” when some one answered, “Sanders.” Mrs. Loudon called out, “See it’s not the bushrangers, shut the door.” The doors were shut.

Some one outside called out “Open the doors, or we’ll shoot.” Mrs. Loudon’s brother, James Kirkpatrick, had gone to one of the doors (the door leading to the lobby) and opened it with the intention of seeing who the party were.

Witness and his wife ran into their bedroom, where he had been in the habit of keeping a double-barrelled gun loaded. A Mr. Wilson, who was staying with them, had that day, however, taken the gun out shooting, and it was not there.

Finding this to be the case, witness went into the lobby, and going towards the front door which had panes of glass in it, he opened it, and saw O’Meally and Burke standing on either side of it, with firearms in their hands. He immediately shut the door, when they called out to him to open it, or they would fire through, and burn the house down.

By this time, Gilbert, Hall, and Vane had forced their way into the passage. A shot was fired through the bedroom door, where witness and Mrs. Loudon had retreated. There were alto- gether six shots fired through this door.

Almost immediately the front door was burst open, and at the same time the door of the bedroom, into which the five bushrangers rushed. They seized witness and put him into handcuffs. The room was dark, and witness could not distinguish, between them, but one of them took his watch. Vane, when spoken to, afterwards got it back for him. When the watch was taken, witness thrust the person nearest to him away with his hands, when O’Meally put his revolver against his cheek, and told him if he resisted, he would “send that through him.”

They took him on to the verandah, and there he found Messrs. Kirkpatrick, Wilson, and Young (overseer), who were put into handcuffs. They brought out Mrs Loudon, and the other females, and placed chairs for them to sit upon, offering them no violence. There were three men in the store, but the bushrangers locked them in, saving they would do them no harm if they kept quiet, the house was then ransacked, everything being turned out on the floor.

The bush- rangers took many articles at the time, but returned most of then before they left, amongst other things witness’ watch. They took away a few things but not much. After they had finished their search they took everything from the verandah into the house, where they unhandcuffed them and ordered supper, which was given to them. They remained there about four hours altogether, and nothing more was done by them. Vane amused the party by playing on the piano. It was about two o’clock when they left, and O’Meally, who was riding away with a bridle belonging to witness, said, when asked about it, that he would return it in a little time. He was certain of Vane’s identity. —By Mr M’Intosh: Vane did not show any vio- lence towards himself or any member of his family. —By the Bench:

They were all armed. They had twenty-two revolvers between them. O’Meally had six, and the others four each, be- sides their carbines. They had the arms with them they had taken from the police. It was O’Meally and Ben Hall who put the handcuffs on witness.

STORE ROBBERY.—John Vane was again charged with being concerned in the robbery of Mr Hosie’s store, at Caloola. Stanley Hosie being sworn, said he knew the prisoner before the court, and on the 23rd September he came in company with other bushrangers to his store, at about five o’clock in the afternoon.

There were five in the party. Witness was sitting in the parlour writing, and when he first caught sight of them, took them for police by their equipments. When he rose from his chair he saw O’Meally, who had been one of the party that robbed him in the month of July. He then knew they were bushrangers. He next saw Mickey Burke, whom he knew per- sonally.

It was Gilbert and O’Meally who robbed him in July. He seized a double-barrelled gun. The doors were open, and one, witness supposed to be Ben Hall, came into the store. As he did so witness pushed the parlour door to with his hand, and Hall then retreated. Burke and the prisoner at the bar sat outslde on their horses covering witness with their firearms. O’Meally ran round to the back door, which was open, and rushed in, presenting a revolver at him, and ordered him to surrender.

Witness replied as there were five of them he would do so, and handed him the gun. Some of them took him into the store and put hand- cuffs on him. Others of the party went and fetched in the black- smith and his man, as well as the shoemaker and his man. They handcuffed them two-and-two, and brought them into the store.

They hung their horses up at the door, taking the bits out of their mouths, and fed them freely with witness’s corn. They next ransacked the store, pulling the goods down and selecting what they thought proper. Gilbert and O’Meally—first one, and then the other—went into the parlour searching for money, and from the cash-box took about fifteen shillings. O’Meally searched witness’s pockets, and took away a half sovereign, returning what silver he had. Gilbert next searched him and took what O’Meally left.

They brought from an out-house six three-bushel bags, and filled them with what stores they had selected, and tied up the mouths. The prisoner at the bar went and caught a roan horse belonging to witness, and put on him a saddle and bridle, also belonging to him. Another horse was caught, and a saddle belonging to the blacksmith was fastened on him.

The party had a led horse with them, and they put two of the bags on each of these horses, sling- ing them on either side. They then went away, but before going took off the handcuffs from those present. Gilbert cautioned wit- ness not to go for the police, threatening to shoot him if he did, and said he would watch him that night. They said the reason why they had robbed him the second time was, because he had given information to the police on the former occasion. Ben Hall took his gun, and there were many other articles taken.

Some of the bushrangers went into witness’s bedroom, and took some of his wife’s brooches and other trinkets, at the same time opening all the drawers, and taking some silk pocket-handkerchiefs, as well as pillow cases to put sugar in.—Mr. M’Intosh declined to put any question to the witness. Before the Police.—

John Vane was again charged with being concernedin the robbery of fire-arms from the police at Marsh’s house, and the deposition of EdwardGeorge Marsh, as taken at the examination of the constables, was read over. In answer to the Bench, the witness said when the bushrangers went away they took the whole of the polilcemen’s arms. Witness had known Vane from his boyhood, and therefore could not be mis- taken as to his being present.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 Before Dr. Palmer, P.M., and W, Lee, sen., J. P. ROBBERY UNDER ARMS.—John Vane was again brought up, and the following additional evidence with respect to the attack upon Mr. Loudon’s premises was taken.

David Wilson deposed that he was on a visit at Mr Loudon’s home, on the 26th September, 1863. About ten o’clock at night they were at supper, and heard a noise outside. S

ome one called out. “The police are here.” Mrs Loudon, he believed, went to the door, and he said, “How many of you are there,” to which someone replied “Five.” On being asked whose command they were under, the answer was “Inspector Saunderson.” Some one then said,

“If you don’t open the door we will fire.” After some time, the door not being opened, a shot was fired at the door leading from the dining-room into the bedroom ; the balls came through the bedroom door. After that, the door into the verandah was opened, and as they went out they saw Burke and another man standing with firearms in their hands.

Burke said, “Stand off,” motioning with his carbine. By this time the rest of the bushrangers had come in through the house into the verandah. They then hand- cuffed Mr. Loudon, and also three other persons, including wit- ness. They were left in charge of Burke, who had revolvers and other firearms, whilst the others went in lnside to search the house. They asked for the keys, and when they were not imme- diately forthcoming, they threatened to burn down the house.

After some time, they marched witness and his fellow-prisoners into the house, still in handcuffs; and subsequently released the man to whom witness was handcuffed, and ordered him to go and clean the horses. After that they called for supper. Four of them sat down to supper, while Gilbert stood at the door. They were walking in and out of the room, always having one of them there, till about two in the morning. The prisoner before the Court was one of the party, and played upon the piano. Witness lost a purse containing about twenty shillings in silver, from a desk which was robbed. The prisoner was again remanded till the 8th instant.

23 December 1863

GILBERT’S GANG NEAR BOWNING.

Bowning and Binalong was, during Wdnesday and Thursday last, under the control of Gilbert, Hall, and two others-supposed to be Lynbane and Corcoran

and during that period there must have been at least fifty persons stuck np by them Tboso having money were, of course, cased of their pos«cssion, while tboBC who had none were let off with a civil grumble at the depressed slate of the times.

To those who live at a distance and arc unacquainted with the topography of the Southern districts, vre may as well mention that] owning is a village containing two public houses and a few I ria ate residences, that it is eight miles from ass, at the junc- tion of the Melbourne and Binalong roads j arlv last V cdncsday morning Mr Ilcnry Morgan, one 01 the proprietor« of the Burrangong ¿tar, accompanied by his wife, to whom bo had bec-i but lately married, were rctnrnlng ia a buggy from a visit down the country, when they encountered Gilbert and Ben Ilall, between three and four miles from Bowning, on the road to Binalong

It was close to the spur of a range wnerc the encounter took place, and the bushrangers ordered Mr Mor- gan to drive down towards a small gullv Iwo other highway- men were with Gilbert and Halt, Gilbert treated the atf-irma very sporting manner, exchanging hats with Mr Morgan, and politely enveloping Mrs Morgan In his poncho, asking her at the same time what she thought of herself drcseed m the fashion of the bushrangers, Gilbert at times would leav e the party and take a canter along the road, and return again

All that they deprived Mr Morgan and his wife of was thirty shillings and some articles of clothing In this state of captifitv they were detained from half past eight o’clock in the morning until sit in the evening During that time the dray« of Mr Franklin, of Oakvale, were returning from Lambing Hat, whither they had been with mai/e for sale

Thev had camped about fonr miles on the other side of Bowning, and about eifcht o clock on the vYcd nesdaj morning they were in the act of leav ing the camping ground, when Gilbert rode up, and called to George Irinkhn, who was driving one of the teams, “ Holloa, I want you” Gilbert then jumped off his horse, which ho left in the road, and going up to Mrs. 1 ranklin and the others who were with tho drays nske I if thev had any money, they said thev had not, when he remarked thal he would search the drays, arid it ho found any he would make it a wnrning to them He then commenced and searched tho drajs, but found no cash He then ordered Mrs Franklin and tho men to a fire, where a man was tied to a log Mr Morgan and his wife with others who had been bailed up were there Mrs 1 ranklin was ordered to prepare breakfast for all hands, and four bot les of gin taken from a dray, which ha 1 been stuck up that mormntr, with loading for Mr Sbeedv, of Back Creek, oung, were handed round to those who wished to drink it, the bushrangers them- selves partook of it icrv sparingly

Mr C O linen’s ovcrceer was amongst the number who were stuck-up Tho bushrangers rode his horse, and aleo that of a boy who w as along with him, spelling their own horses in lho mean time The night before these audacious cases of robbery were com- mitted, a «bort man tires ed in a rouirh drab coat, moleskin trousers and an old cabbagetree hat came to wh”re Like, one of the carriers who was robbed, wa in camp wi h other team- sters

It was about an hour b lore sundown, he said be was toirig to Binalong, but n icrthelcos stopped at the drayt, until t was dark The cirrara bt(,an to think It strange ho did not «tart, and ono of them remarked that the fellow w is not «ale, that he was only “n telet,rar l” and immediately placid the fe** shillin0s ho ha 1 about him in a safe place, ihe sr inger s artcd after dark, saying he was going to Binalong, butreturred m a few minutes und said that he would not go there that nis-lit, but rctarn to

Bowning and “ sweat it out” there Ile rcniuiutd another hour ifter this. This person was the first stuck up where the large number of people were The cainers sav that they arc sure ho was tied up as “a stall,” nobody but ho was ted Ile was subsequently released, ono of the guv saying to him “ on-wretch go and shepherd tho hor e-> for us, and if vou go into’iacsto report to the police we will thoot you “ Bon Hall went with him to the horses, and they remained together for som” time, and ai our m formantsajs, “had a long vam” Verv earlv next morning sub inspector Black and two troopers passed where tho carriers where camped On telhnc, what had occurred, Mr Black told them he had heard of it at Binalong

He was told if he searcb°d about that localitv he would toke the bushr iu£eis in half an hour The same day ( Thursday) Gilbert and his gang stuck up fa tennis on the some road within two or three miles of tho scene of their previous day’s exploit lhat morning sub inspector ltoberts went to the camp whore tho bushrangers had for bo long a time detained their prisoners and found a waistcoat, which was known to have been worn by Gilbert

The foregoing aro the fragmentary particulars that hav e reached us, and aro probably accurate in the more important parts, but it would be impossible to j,et mu ute details of all the events of the two days, as the parties to whom the events occurred were numerous and not gct at able The following is the staten”ent made by tho earners Lake and Thomas who wcro stuck-up bj Gilbert and lien Hall on tho evening of Weilnesday,

Thev described the scene of tho robbery as about five miles on the Binalong side of Bowning – We camped on Tuc*iiay evening, and as Wednesday was very wet, wo remained all day. Vs I (Lake) was in the habit of changing my wet clothes on Wednesday even- ing, about four o’clock, 1 noticed two men on horseback ada ancing along tbo road from Bowning , just as I caine out of the shafts of the unpgon they caine up, and asked mc whose loading I had , I said wool, from Mr. Rogers at Wagga VA agga , Gilbert remarked that he supposed I had plenty of money, if 1 was a carrier for Mr, rogers, he then added, “whatever you have got turn your pockets out,” I refused, and continued to ho’d my hand In my trousers pocket, telling him that whetever there was in my pockets there was nothing thero belonging to him , he (Gilbert) then jumped off his horse, ordered me to pull my hand out of my pocket, and on my not doing so ho took hold of my arm and pulled m j hand nwny.

Ben Hall at this time held a revolver pointed at mc, and Gilbert put his hand undor his poncho and drew forth a revolver, which he Bbovod under my chin, and said,

“ If you don’t turn your pockets out and submit to my wishes, I’ll shovo this down yo»r – throat,” ho then put hi» hand into my right trousers pocket and pulled out tho content«, thero wcro five £1 notes (three of them new notes issued by the Joint Stack Bank at .v agga Wogga) my way-bill, and Is 3d in silver, ho examined the way-bill, and offered it and the 1b. 3d. back again,

I told bim that as be had got the money he might take them too , Gilbert then chucked them on tho gTOund and proceeded to examine my other pocket and round my waist, when he was I going away 11 old him that as he had robbed mc of £5, he had I better give mc one of thom to tako mc on the road to Goulburn, ho said “ If you arc a carrier on the road you will bo known, and your nome be good for the cash you require ; and if you bad not been so- jolly

I would havo divided more with you ,” ho then throw a half-crown on tho road, saying that was all tho silver ho had, and rode off in tbo direc- tion of Bowning, nt the time the robbery took place there were three teams camped in tho one placo, one of thedrivors and 1 boy were at a fire about ihirtyyards from the waggon noar which I waB stuck up ;

Gilbert called out to thcra to ask if thoy had any grog About two hundred yards from the scone of the above occurrence one of tbo teamsters, named Thomas, of Wagga Wngga, was en- gaged in cutting donn asipling, lien Hall rode over to him, and said, “ Good fay, mate, luiv o you got nnj money t “ With that he presented his revolver, and ordered him to turn out his pockets and his shirt from otl his waist

Thomas did as ordered, and Hall, finding tkc examination unprofitable in its result?, remarked that these «ero .’-hard innes,” and rode up to whete Gilbert was live minutes after the scoundrels left the place, Lake mounted a horse, and, keeping in the bush, made for Yass to give informa lion to the i nlice. He reached this place shortly after six o’clock, and enw sub-inspector Brennan, who started with the available constables in the direction of Bowning.