HUNTING THE BUSHRANGER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1805, 11 July 1906, Page 3

HUNTING THE BUSHRANGER.

TRYING EXPERIENCES,

(Special to Times..)

Toko uaru, July 4. The noterl bushraDgerHareMatenga is causing mors and more excitement daily owing undoubtedly to the strange finds and the man’s mania for pitching camps.

The lirst traces of this notorious individual wero found along the Waingata river, which consisted of two camps, on Sunday the Ist inst. by Messrs J. ICeane and A. Sunkel, who returned to the main camp that even* ing with the news. A sort of flying camp was also found that day by Constable McLeod and Mr J. Earle. Next morning two parties, one consisting of Constable McLeod and Messrs A. Nunkel, J. Keane and J. Hulrne, and the other of Messrs J. Earle, Dines, F. Chitty, and P. Hura, left the camp fairly brimming over with excitement and hopes of capture, and being satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that they were in the hunted man.’s territory. The former party proceeded down a spur from the ridge to the Waingata river to pick up the tracks found on the previous day by Messrs Keane and Sunkel, whilst the other party set out along the main ridge to yrork down a spur to the Waingata river with the hope of meeting the first-mentioned party. Constable McLeod and party having picked up the tracks on the previous day, they continued to track him through the bush by means of broken twigs which he left as a mark as he travelled through the Irtish. On and they tracked aim, when to their astonishment they came upon a clearing of about an acre and a half, which he had in grass and turnips. There was to be found three or four old camps, one showing recent habitation in which was found a camp oven con* taining some raisins, currants, two knives and forks, whilst in other hiding places wore found the romains of two rifles belonging to his first and last robbery, one being a Snider rifle stolon from Mr Farnie, Government surveyor —Hare’s first victim, who was engaged in cuttiog up the Waitahaia block about four years ago—the other a pea rifle stolen from Trice and Co,, bushfellers, about a month ago. Tho clearing shows signs of having boon started about three years ago, evidently Matonga felling a atrip of bush about half*a chain' wide in a circle each year and grassing same. There is also a small patch of turnips growing, he most likely having picked the turnip seed out of the grass seed mixture. Strange to say that oh last New Year’s Day a fire larger than an ordinary one was noticed by Mr C. Nurse, survoyor, and party, from a “look out” on amain ridge on Mr L. E. Oottarill'u Waitahaia property, aud was jokingly roferrod to as “ Haro Matonga’s cioariug ” —a jest indeed which has proved true, as the clearing was found exactly in the direction in which the smoke was seen on that day. fn the meantime the other party which set out along the main ridge were not long in finding another camp, This one as yet shows the mogt recent signs of his being about. This camp, which consisted of two uprights and two ridge poles, with two split sacks sewn together and hung over the top ridge pole, was quite new. On the second ridge ‘ pole was found hanging a billy, a bag containing about ten or twelve pounds of grass seed, and two dry tl«ur sacks, the whole being neatly arranged. Along*

I aido tho camp was found a quantity of bedding, consisting of small branches and fern, which had novor boon usod and at tho outsido was not cut more than two or tlnoo days. Tho party being encouraged by success rnado a swoop down tho sido of this rango in tho direction of tho Waingata, and did pot travel n great distance until •heir i-il'orta were again crowned with sue--0088. For ihoy had got ou to a newly blasted track, which they fallowed forsotno distanoe, coming right bang on to throo i f his camps, two of which showed signs ot a good lot of use, wbiht tbo otbor was but lu’.oly pilohed, all tbo timber being nowly out At this camp was lo bo soon some tlrowood which had boon rccoutly split from tho tawa troo ready for use. 'l’aoro was also a billy covered over with a saok. and whioh had tho traces ot a inixturo < f tlaur and water, a vory fn queut dish among the natives. Careful i xominat ou showed that about this plaoe Haro Matonga had spent considerable time. Ho had a splendid track out with a slashor to a water holo, and also a real good track out, going in tho dirootion of tho Waingata. By this time rain had sot in, and a thick fog was coming over tho bush, and Earle and party nos being prepared for tho night, decided to rotraco their steps—much to their regret—to tho main earnp, which was gained about half-past four. About tbo timo that Earle and party decided to return Constable McLeod and party were at Matonga’s permanent camp. Feeling in high spirits they hit out along the tracks of this man, finally oomiug upon the oamp found by Ea.lo and party. By tho time they had reuohed the top the fig and rain was so thick that they wore uuabla to milks out their bearings, and seeing a truck along tho ridga they turned I to the right instoad of ths loft, and | travelled a long way baek into tho rang is, Seeing tint their position was hopeless, they deoided to oamp for tho night. It was on tho top of a cold bleuk mountain ridge that this party found thomselvts oampßd, with vory little firewood and no food, After about ou hour and a half’s work a sm ill firo was started, and after a little pe.-soveraoc) they managed ts got their clothes almost dry. It was then aboui 10 o’clock, When the elements began to look very black indeed. Tbo proceed iogs opined wiih terrific thunder and lightning, followed by snow aud alert It was thus how the programme commenced and comiauod the whole n'ght. Hulme somehow or o'her lost one of his boots io tbe snow, and evidently having beootne dentd through tho sevoro cold, threw his other boot away. Ho sat the whole Dight long over the little fire, without any boots, ia a half stnpified condition, in spite of remonstrances from his mates to get up ■md woik his arms and feet to keep the blood in circulation. Dayl gat was we

earned by all, aad a stait was mads by all bands, and after wandering about for half an hour their hearings wore realised. The party thm set out for home, and after a few minutes Hulma seemed to entirely lose bis head and throw him‘elf at every' thing and anything, beseeching for the rest to go on and loave him behind. Sun* kel, realising the position, climbed a tree OQd fired a shot, which was hoard at the main oamp, and instantly answered ; but owing to the strong wind the unfortunate party failed to hear the answer. On they all struggled, manfully helping Ihoir almost exhausted comrade home. They had to make him struggle along on his bare feet, for they were uru'ole to carry him, being too weak themselves, and not having heard the answer to their shot for assistance were beginning to fear another night’s exposure, At last they struck a trig station, a well-known landmark in that part, and all were filled with delight. There they fired two ahots, which wore promptly replied to, and recognising that something was wrong and assistanoo wanted, a relief party, consisting of Messrs Earle, Ohitty, Dines, and Constable Mellsop, set out. Eirle being first upon the scene, told the rest of the party to go home with all possible basts, he taking charge of the uofortunato man. Gy the time the rest of the relief party came upon the scene, Earle was struggiog along manfully with the exhausted man upon bis back. After giving the patient a small drop of brandy, the party realised their task—that there was nothing el so for it but to carry Hulma on their backs to camp along a rough mountain ridge. Very shortly after they set out Hulme utterly oollapsed, and made the task more d Shull. On they struggled manfully, and a party of busbmen having got wind of the news, met the party, rendering assstinoe in carrying the mao home. On arrival in camp Hnlmo had very little life left in him, and indeed another hour’s exposure would bave oertainly ended his life. However, means of rettoraiion were at onea applied, and afier about two hours’ bard work, tbo patient showed signs of consciousness. Is was then found that his feet were in a fearful state, owing lo his having struggled a good way on his bare fee!. Tbo skin was torn off them in many places, and there wero a coupla of nasty gashes. They were also frost bitteo, and wero without feeling. The rest of the party, Constable McLeod, J. Ksane, and A SankeJ, stood their trying experience vary well indeed, and are to be warmly congratulated on their efforts in helping their unfortunate comrade home, Constable MoLeod is to be highly complimented on the way he is conducting the campaign, lie not having as yet shirked a single day's field duty. The party will need a few day’s rest, and Constable McLeod talking to your representative next morning, candidly remarked that of his twelve years in the force it was the toughest night duty he had ever experienced.” At the time of writing Hulme is progressing satisfactorily, although ' his feet are in a terrible condition. 1

Regarding the notorious bushranger it is hoped'that'ho now will be captured after a little careful manoeuvring, as tb r e party arc all fairly ‘ satisfied as to Ids territory. It is thought that he is probably away on another rqbbery expedition, as there arc a number of hush camps iu the vicinity. The party arc expecting to hear of another robbery daily, and I think it safe to say that if it takes place lie will fairly cullarcd and put in safe keeping.