A Young Kelly Gang.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 178, 28 October 1880, Page 2

A Young Kelly Gang.

The two lads who were on Tuesday up before the R.M. as escapees from the Burnham Reformatory, seem destined to make a noise in the world. After they were remanded -by the Magistrate on Tuesday they were taken to the police station, where their tattered and torn condition excited the sympathy of Mrs. Felton, who kindly rigged them out in decent boots, those worn by them being the cast-off “ elevens ” of some “ six-foot one ” man whose toes had come through his leather. As will be seen, this kindness of Mrs. Felton was not without its bad results. Yesterday Constable Smart, a constable of some ten years’ standing as regards experience, and six feet three inches standing as regards height, was entrusted with the duty of escorting the two young “highway-men” back to their abode at Burnham But this constable little knew the cattle he was driving. Everything went cheerily enough until the train had reached about a mile past Dunsandel, when pop went the two young candidates for Kelly honors—one from either side of the platform, and the tall constable was left, like a hen on a hot plate, jumping from one side of the carriage to the other, hut afraid to follow the daring Burnhamites. At the next station Constable Smart apprised the constable nearest the place of escape of what had happened, and the myrmidons of the law proceeded to hunt the country for the lost lambs of the Burnham flock. Nothing was heard, however, of the sweet children till the afternoon ti’ain came along, the passengers in which felt a sudden bump, and a shock, and a stoppage. Going on the hunt for the cause, it was found that a handbarrow had been placed on the rails, and farther on a heap of stones. A further hunt scared up the youngsters, who sped Away, away, Like torrent on a stormy day, and it was only after a half-mile chase that the six-year- old Tozer was run to earth. The elder one, thanks to the boots he had been presented with in Ashburton, got clear away. The child was brought back to Rakaia and handed over to Constable Rowse, who, we believe, took him back to Burnham this morning, but we have not heard whether this terrible young highwayman was handcuffed, fettered, and gagged or not. Wo reckon Constable Smart will have to endure some compliments for a time over the escape of the young Kellys. The lads while at the station said it was no use sending them back to Burnham, as they meant to bolt, and notwithstanding the “ cat-o’-nine-tails,” which they have already tasted—so they say—they would be off at the first opportunity.