CAPTURE OF THE HATEIELD BUSHRANGERS.

Kumara Times, Issue 766, 14 March 1879, Page 2

CAPTURE OF THE HATEIELD BUSHRANGERS.

The, capturp iof tfie Hatfield bushrangers -was effected by two Moultnein, eomjtafileSj who whereon duty.at.Balrahald when information was received on Sunday morning;; Flrst-oUss' jConstable Bresford, Constable: Power/ -and Special-constable Bay started out on

Sunday morning, and overtook the bushrangers) after riding -from. 9 aim.- on, Sunday till 7 p.m. on Monday. The constables procured a black tracker from Clare, and ran their tracks to Kilfera Station. Mr Casey J.P., manager of Kilfera Station, sop* plied the best horses on the station, and started with the police to the four-mile dam, where they came up with the g^ n g> camped 'and preparing their supsper near two small trees on the edge of a lignum scrub. The bushrangers ordered the police to bail up, the troop* ers answering by calling on them to surrender in the Queen’s name. The gang fired twice at the police without effect. The police promptly returned the fire. Constable Powers horse was Unaccustomed to firing and broke away. Power quickly mounted Mr Casey’s horse, and rejoining the other trooper again covered the bushrangers, who were now trying to escape. Several shots were now exchanged, Power I>e* ing shot through the right shoulder, but not dangerously. The police now moat pluckily surrounded the gang, Gorman and Hobbs, two of the bushrangers, narrowly escaping being shot. The bushrangers, on being again challanged, threw up their arms, and surrendered. The police having handcuffed them and taken their firearms, brought them to Kilfera Station. Next morning Mr Mr Gaaey drove the prisoners, under escort, to the Clare Hotel, from which place Mr John Prentice, the landlord, drove them to Balranald, arriving there safely. The police were greatly .assisted in this extraordinary feat by Messrs Williamson, of Magenta, and Casey, ; of Kilfera, who supplied their best horses, and gave every assistance. Too much praise cannot be given to Constables BereSford and Power and Special-constable Day, for the brave and determined manner in which they followed up and captured the gang., , -