BUSHRANGING IN GIPPSLAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2140, 30 January 1880, Page 3

BUSHRANGING IN GIPPSLAND.

Intelligence Avas received in toAvn yesterday (says the “Melbourne Argus” of Jan. 17) of the sticking-up of the Holy Plains Station, near Bosetlalo, the.-pro-perty of Mr John Crooke, by a French half-caste avlio Avas recently discharged from the service of Mr Crooke at Toorak. The information telegraphed by Superintendent Rabat to the detective office is to the effect that at 2 o’clock on Thursday afternoon the man, avlio i,s named George dc Thonars, also knowh as “ The Blossom,” “ Vinditti,” and the “ French Boy,” presented a six-cham-bered revolver at the inhabitants of the station, seA-en in number, and ordered them to bail up. He locked them all up in a room, and kept them there till 2 o’clock the following morning, Avhen, after making them all sAvcar not to give information till 0 a.m., he went away, taking Avitb him a rifle, a splendid dark mare, saddle, Avhip, and bridle. He Avore a light suit and dark-brown, hat, and said he came from Melbourne to shoot All* Crooke. Ho Avas formerly in Mr Crookc’s employ at Toorak, and was discharged on account of his associating with magsmen. He is described as being 22 years of age sft 7in high, stout, having very Avliite teeth, black curly hair, and hoAv legs. He used to advertise in the “ Leader ” that persons sending stamps to the Post Office would he shown the Avay to make their fortunes. The offender is said to luum kept a coalyard in South Yarra or Richmond for a short time. He avus employed as a generally useful man at Toorak and also at the station at Holy Plains. He speaks English avcll, and is said to he fond of singing.- It was expected that he Avonld take the train for Melbourne at one of the stations down the line. He stated that he had two other men outside, and a hoy Avho got a horse for the offender, says* 1 he saw two men, both armed, near the slip-panel. The following additional particulars are telegraphed by our Posedale correspondent; — Eosedale. At 1 ]o.m., on the 15th inst. a man known by the name of “ Black George,” about 22 years of age, who had once been employed there, called at Holy Plains Station, seven miles from Eosedale, Entering the hut in which there were two men, the other Lands having gone to the kitchen to dinner, they asked him to come Avith them, hut he replied there were too many, and that he Avonld wait. He Avas left in the hut, and Avhilst there he uncapped the guns, and took all the ammunition. He then joined the men at dinner, after which all the men returned to the hut. The overseer informed him he was not to remain on the station. He replied, “ That is enough,” and drew a revolver, pointing it at the overseer, and ordering him and the other men to go back to the hut. Standing at the door and ordering all hands to bail up, lie ordered the overseer to .send one of the men for the best horse in the paddock, cautioning the man to be quick in reluming. Whilst the man was catching the horse, he noticed two other men with horses saddled under a tree near a fence. The horse Avas saddled for him and the man ordered back to the but, over Avbich Thonars kept guard until near dusk, when be ordered one of the men to go to the house andbringhim ‘ tjic boss’s’ rifle, The man refused. Ho then threatened to burn the place, and swore he would tkke the life of Mr Crooke, and also threatened Mrs Chepraell. He desired to be sboAvn Mr Crooke s room, and ordered all the men to go in front of him to the room, in a corner of Avbich ho bailed them all up, still covering thim with his revolver, and making some of them assist to ransack the room. Ho took-the rifle, 50 cartridges, overcoat, opossum fug, pair of spurs, powder and shot. He then desired to have some tea made, and marched the men back to the kitchen, and then to the hut. He remained with them until 12 o’clock, sitting at the door with rifle and revolver ready. Some of the men retired to bed in the hut. He awoke them about half-past 12, making, them take an oath that they Avould not stir from the station until 9 o’clock in the morning. He then mounted his horse and rode away, first turning all the horses out of the paddock on to the run. Information was- brought into Eose‘dale about 5 o’clock, and telegraphed to the various police-stations. The police have been (Scouring the country from all points, and the man has been traced to the hill to2> on the Sale and Port Albert road. He spoke of A-isitiug Mr John King’s Nambrook station, on Eosedale and Sale roads.Jat which place he Avas also once employed.