THE SECRET OF GARDINER’S SUCCESS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 103, 3 April 1863, Page 3

THE SECRET OF GARDINER’S SUCCESS.

The Marengo correspondent of the Yaes Courier writes on the seventh ultimo as follows ; February 7—fn my communication of the 30th ultimo, I stated that j was sanguine as to the result of the expedition in search of the bushrangers, but I am sorry to say that the police were unsuccessful, and from circumstances 1 have since ascertained, the cause of this bad luck is explain-

ed. I am informed that this captain of the “ free companions” has divided hia band into two parts, viz., the “neophytes,” and “men-at-arms,” and the rnodas opsrandi of his last raid was as follows : —Eight or nine of these neophytes, or apprentices, headed by Johnny Gilbert, were dispatched as a decoy to beat up the enemy’s quarters, that is the surrounding stations, to make plenty of noise, &c., and then to securely “plant ” for a few days. The news soon reaches Lambing Flat, and the commanding officer there, with his usual impetuosity and zeal, arms, and mounts all his available force, consequently leaving those diggings contiguous to the Flat, quite unprotected (for the foot police are only of use to the town itself,) the very thing aimed at and required by the übiquitous captain of the “ free lances,” who instantly musters five or six of his most stalwart and unscrupulous men-at-arms, and in broad daylight rides up to one of fthe largest stores in Spring Gully;(one mile from the Flat,) coolly tie up their horses, and leaving two men outside to prevent awkward intrusion, march in, “ bail up ” the inmates, and obtain considerable booty, including ammunition, revolvers, and about £6O in cash. Of course they experienced no interruption from the authorities, as the villians were well aware the police were on a wild-goose and previously cut-and-dried chase, miles away—which was the case, with the exception of one unfortunate constable, who happened to be serving a warrant in the neighbourhood: he was ordered by the taller of the two rogues outside the store, to “stand and deliver.” He being what is called a foot constable, was unarmed 5 consequently he had no other alternative but to comply with the disgusting requisition ; still he slightly hesitated, and received one or two heavy blows from the butts of their pistols ; and when the store was thoroughly gutted, and the operators mounted, he was condescendingly told to go to that place the antithesis of cool and comfortable, taking the precaution however, to deprive him first of his horse, saddle, and bridle,which being his own property, made things still more disagreeable. The station-owners about here have been so often plundered that they keep scarcely anything on their premises that would be considered available by the bushrangers ; therefore when they are visited by robbers the attack is only a ruse on the junior part of the rascals, to draw or decoy the police away from a wealthier place—previously spotted. And another thing that greatly counteracts the strenuous efforts of the mounted police, is the system of “bush telegraphy,” which I will explain. Of all the numerous settlers on the Fish River, Abercrombie Ranges, or the Levels, scarcely half are true subjects ; only five settlers on the Levels are considered by the police to be truly loyal, and free from the taint of harbouring and directly, or indirectly, encouraging bushranging. For instance, about three or four months ago, the patrol were on the Bland PI ains (the Levels,) in pursuit of some well-known desperadoes, who they knew were not many miles off, and they called at a slightly suspected station, but being unsuccessful, they proceeeded to the next station, the residence of a truly loyal man—a gentleman, though boasting of no great birth or education—no scion of aristocratic tree yet still a gentleman : for “honest men are the gentlemen of nature.” He gave the officer in command all the information in his power, but wtiile doing so he suddenly exclaimed : “ Haste, or you’ll be too late; for by Jove, there goes the ‘ telegram ’ from Mr ’a place you passed last.” The officer looked in the direction pointed out, and there saw straight across one of the highest ranges, at a stretching gallop, a finely mounted youth. No time was lost by the patrol, but when they got to their destination, they found the residents calmly awaiting their arrival, having been evidently on the lookout for some time. Of course everything was found correct and square ; so that the police had to return sadder, but slightly in one sense (i.e. bush telegraph), wiser man. There is a strong suspicion that a “ bush telegram ” exists in this very township ; for upon the day that Gardiner despatched his junior corps upon the above mentioned strategic expedition to Pentick Morrell, and some other stations; after the plundering they camped in the evening in a secluded part of the bush, near Marengo, not very far off the old sheep station and were there visited by some two or three members of a certain family here. This I have been told as a fact, and, if, upon further inquiry, I find it to be so, I will, through the medium of, you columns, regardless of consequences (notwithstanding their social position), thoroughly expose them ; for I consider it the bounden duty of each and all loyal subjects of Her Majesty to do everything in his or their power to check the wholesale atrocious depredations now carrying on ; and until every one of these dens of refuge and “ bush telegrams” are absolutely exterminated, all the efforts of the authorities to put down bushranging will be futile and abortive.