THE MOONLIGHT BUSHRANGERS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1130, 2 December 1879, Page 2

THE MOONLIGHT BUSHRANGERS.

! By the Tararua we are in receipt of the foUo.wing information with reference to this gang of bushrangers : | The liveliest satisfaction is experienced at the complete break-up of Moonlight's formidable gang. It is proved that Moonlight organised the gang while travelling in Yictoria under the pretence of delivering lectures exposing the penal system at Pentridge. Nesbit, his most trusted comrade, was an old Pentridge associate, and acted as his secretary. About four weeks ago the gang, consisting of five men, crossed the Murray into Riverina, where another joined. A boatman, seeing they were armed with revolvers, suspected their character, but feared to warn the police. The .desperadoes lived on a station hospitably for several weeks, and at length resolved to stick up the Wantabadgery station, with the promise of arms to enable thera to descend upon the Gundagai or the Wagga banks. They held possession of the station from Saturday afternoon till Monday forenoon, when, after repulsing four of the Wagga police, the' gang left, fully equipped with horses, firearms, and provisions. Thirty-five prisoners were detained at the station, including the proprietor. Moonlight protected the women from insult, but behaved with savage brutality to 'several persons, especially to Mr. ' Baynes, the overseer. They were on the, point of hanging the latter when the screams of the women made them defer their intention. The Wagga Wagga police, reinforced from Gundagai, overtook the gang while camping in M'Glede's hut. A sharp encounter took place, and many shots were fired. The youngest member of the gang shot, Wer-

nicke, was a lad of 15, a son of a Melbourne publican. Nesbit was next shot through the temple, whereupon Moonlight surrendered. Just before doing so he deliberately fired at Constable Bowen. The bullet lodged in the spine. The poor fellow lingered several days and then died, leaving a wife and child. Moonlight threw himself upon the body of Nesbit, weeping bitterly, saying " You shot my dearest friend. He died trying lo save my life." Williams and Bennett, two of the other bushrangers, were wounded, one being shot in the arm. Moonlight, who fought desperately, and exposed himself freely, was unhurt. Ivogun, the sixth man, managed to conceal himself amongst the bedding in the hut, where he remained a whole day, but Mrs. M'Glede discovered him there. The whole of the surviving members of the gang were committed for trial at Sydney on several charges. At the Police Court, Moonlight was audaciously impudent. He professes his willingness to hang if only his comrades are spared. A subscription is being raised as a reward to the constables, and it is satisfactory to find that there is no public sympathy with the murderers. Several parties of volunteers joined in the pursuit of the gang captured. One party was jocosely tried by the gang by court - martial. A verdict of acquittal was returned. Moonlight made them beg pardon on their knees, and then kicked them. Moonlight shot a fine thoroughbred colt because it would not stand steady. He also compelled Mr. Beveridge, a squatter, to kill his horse to prevent pursuit. The gang captured one constable, but during the fight he escaped, and, joining the encounter, killed one of the ruffians. The jury returned a verdict that the gang killed Bowen, but that there was no evidence as to which fired the shot. They were all committed for wilful murder.