BUSHRANGING IN OTAGO. (FROM THE OAMARAU TIMES, JUNE 22).

Evening Post, Issue 121, 29 June 1865, Page 2

BUSHRANGING IN OTAGO. (FROM THE OAMARAU TIMES, JUNE 22).

We have to record a series of most daring robberies, with the use of firearms, which took place in this district on Satur* day last, not to be surpassed even in New South Wales. Early on Saturday morn--ing last (17th inst.) the stable of the Clyde Hotel, Hampden, was broken' into, and two horses, saddles, and bridles, stolen from it; the hor9es, both of a grey colour, belong respectively tp Messrs. Paterson and Dansey and Prosser; both were afterwards left behind, one at Flicker's (Awamoka), and one at Little's (Marewhenua). It hapthat, on the same day, two of the Oamaru police (Sergeant Bullen and Mounted Constable Smith) had gone up to the Waitabi, to enquire relative to a rumour that a man had been drownod there. On their way coming home, when at the Boundary Creek, they were overtaken by a man in the service of Mr. Little, Marewhenua Hotel, on his way to Oamaru, who gave them information that Little's people had been stuck-up that day, about twelve o'clock. Upon hearing this, the police immediately returned with the jnan, and on arrival at Mrs. Fricker's, Awamoka, they learned that the two men had been that morning at her Accommodation House, and took possession of a rifle which they loaded, and bailed up all the people at the house in the corner of a paddock, Evereste standing guard over them with the loaded rifle, wile the other man robbed Mrs. Fricker of a small sum of money; they also took away one of her horses, leaving behind them one of those stolen from Hampden. They also took the rifle away with them. On proceeding to Little's, the police ascertained that two men on horseback had arrived there about twelve o'clock, and they asked Mrs. Little where Mr. Little was; she replied that he was down in the paddock. There being several men in the paddock in sight, they enquired which was Little, and she answered, "He in the shirt sleeves." They ordered her to jjo down'with thettftb him; and one of them —the shorter of the two, whose name is Davis —pulled out a revolver, and desired her to go on before them, or else they would make a hole in her. She accompanied them to the paddock, and on arriving there one of them told Little to throw the key of the stable over the fence, as they wanted a feed of oata. He then told them to take their time, and he would go and give them oats, but they demanded the key at once, otherwise they would shoot him, threatening him with a revolver. Little then held out the key to his servant, and told him to give them the oats. When the man was going round to the stables, one of them (the short one, and who always threatened with a revolver) called out " Come, let us have the key," and fired at him, but missed. The taller man meantime kept a rifle pointed at Mr. Little and the men, saying if they stirred he would shoot them. The servant went round and gave up the key to the other man, who went to the stable and took a light grey horse, named " Dick," belonging to Mr. Julius, Rugged Ridges; he took the saddle and bridle off the horse he had been riding, and put them on this one. He then went up to Mr. Little, and said " Come let us have a drink.' Mr. Little accompanied them to the house, and they directed him to stand outside and let his wife go for the drink. The short man sat on his horse at the window, and pointed his revolver towards Mrs. Little, following her with his eye wherever she went; he called for beer, and said, " Little, I won't hurt you this time, as I have seen you before." They then asked the way to Gardiner's station, and rode off. It appears that they did not proceed to Mr. Gardiner's. After this, however, they met two working men, named Black and Hollanby, whom they stuck up, but they were allowed to proceed, having no money. They then met George Murray, a shepherd, and another man, named Halhgoing with sheep from Messrs. Julius' station to town, whom they ston,ped, and demanded their money. Murray produced all the money he bad about him 325. 6d.) ; they gave him baek^lSeuea^HH^

asked him what he was. On his replying that he was a shepherd, Davis said " Why the d—ld — 1 don't you dress like a shepherd ?" Hall was then told to produce his money ; but while Murray was getting searched, he was successful in concealing his, and allowed to go. They passed Christian's Hill's Accommodation House, at Kurrow, without calling.probably because there were a number of men there. They then proceeded to Geddes' Accommodation House, at Whare Kuri, where, by similar means to those described, they obtained possession of a sum of £38 or £39. There are a number of men employed erecting the bridge at Whare Kuri, and they stuck-up all in sight, about seven or eight, and ordered them into the stockyard— Evereßte, as before, standing guard with his loaded rifles, while Davis took the money from Mm. Geddes. As they were leaving, three of the men were standing looking at them, when Davis deliberately fired, but missed them, telling them he was Gilbert, from Victoria. Arriving at Messrs. Julius* Station, at Rugged Ridges, they stole a chestnut mare, leaving Mrs. Fricker's horse. A messenger had been dispatched from Geddes' to Messrs. Julius to warn them, but too late to prevent the horse being stolen. They, however, formed a purty, and turned out (on foot) and saw and challenged the men to stop* but they made their escape. THE CAPTURE. The time when the men left the Rugged Ridges was about 4 p.m., and they consequently had a start of the police of 60 miles. When the police arrived, at 11 p.m., fresh horses were procured, and the search and pursuit continued. The police were accompanied by Mr. R. Julius, and they proceeded to May's Accommodation House, Qtamatata, about five miles to the norrh ; Qg called him up, but he had seen nothing of them, and the night being intensely dark, it was impossible so track them on the road* Mr. Gardiner was then visited, at the Otamatata station, but no intelligence could be received, and it was then thought advisable to remain there until the moon rose. Mr. Julius, carrying the information and full particulars of the men, rode to Oamarama station, six miles further on, requesting that remounts might be prepared for the police at daylight. When the moon rose the police left, and proceeded onwards, without succeeding in finding any trace or information. On arriving at Oamarama, messengers were dispatched to to Mr, Campbell, jun,, Benmore, and towards the Llndls. On return of the messengers without further information received, the police accompanied by Mr. R. Julius and Mr. Campbell, retraced their ateps southward, calling at all the shepherd's huts, and so back to Otomatata, where they learned that a stranger had arrived at May's, fearfully cold, wet and exhausted. The party of four then left their horses, and proceeded silently on foot to the acoomodation house, where they were informed the man was in bed. This turned out to be Evereste, and he was successfully secured and handcuffed, The first thing he saw, on opening his eyes, were the barrels of two revolvers presented at his head by the police. He was brought back to Messrs. Julius' station the fame night (Sunday), He at first denied, but afterwards admitted the whole and told Sergeant Bullen where he would be able to find a portion of the stolen property. Next morning (Monday) the Sergeant accompanied the prisoner into the Ranges for that purpose, and found saddles and bridles ; the rifle, however, could not be found, as the prisoner could not discover the place where he had planted it. Mounted constable Smith, accompanied by Mr. E. A. Julius and Mr. Campbell, then started to proceed northa search for Davis pursuant to the information given by Evereste. On arriving afc May's, they learned that a stranger (Davis) had just arrived shortly before them. The party of three entered the bedroom where he was, and he was discovered under « bed, palled out and secured by Constable Smith. On the prisoner was found a reYolyer, loaded in one chamber with ball, a bulletmould, and a box of caps. The prisoner was brought back to the Rugged Ridges, where the whole party joined, and the men were taken on to Oamaru by the police, where they arrived at half-past 5 p.m on Tuesday. At the Resident Magistrates Court, on Wednesday (yesterday) when the two ruffians were brought up, a great crowd was assembled ; the excitement previously prevailing having Jieen nowise allayed by the capture. The younger man (Evereste) appeared quite jubi- , lant and defiant, the other was quieter. They .were remanded for a week for the purpose of

bringing forward evidence. As they openly showed themselves, and were seen by a great number of persons at the different places along the route, it is fully expected that they will be identified by a large number. Jas. Evereste appears to be about 25 years of age and about S feet 9 inches in height. Alfred Davis, about 35 years of age, 5 feet 4 inches in height, very dark, and both determined - looking fellows.