AMATEUR BUSHRANGERS AT WALMATE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2285, 14 July 1880, Page 2

AMATEUR BUSHRANGERS AT WALMATE.

A lUIL' X K KX I'KKAK. [ntOM OUlt OWX COUIUCSI’OXDEXX]. Waiiioa and its vicinity were thrown into a state of excitement on Sunday last by the report that a couple of wellequipped desperadoes had l>oen laying seige to some of the residents in that outlying locality. It appears from what I can learn, that two men of hitherto peaceful and respectable antecedents, named Talbot ami Kugvnc Ford, had been priming their mental faculties with the exploits of the Kelly gang in Victoria, and their stomachs with bad whiskey from the hills. In this hilarious state of mind, (hoy secured a buggy and having armed Ihemselves with a loaded revolver, they started on an amateur hushranging expedition. Driving up to the Waihoa hotel they laid seige to the landlady who proved, however, to he of a strong nervous temperament and refused to be frightened even - by the brandishing of a revolver, one of the chambers of which was finally, but judiciously lived into the lire place to the intimidation and annoyance chiefly of the ashes. Satisfied with their hotel exploit, the would-be highwaymen crossed the river, and stnek up a hut belonging to Mr Douglas. The hut was occupied by three meu, and the first one encountered was peremptorily ordered to prepare tea for his visitors.

“ I’ll do nothing of the sort,” said the man “ Youv’e just come from the public house, and you can get your tea where you spent your money.” The words were barely uttered when a revolver was presented at the speaker’s head, and he was told that “ he had two minutes to consider whether he should get tea ready, or get his brains blown out.” Discretion was considered the better part of valour, and the meal was prepared and done ample justice to. After a repast which they evidently enjoyed, the “ desperadoes ” returned to their buggy and drove off. Information was given to the police, and yesterday Ford was arrested. Talbot, who is a wellknown contractor for the County Council, has also been arrested. TJn> affair is evidently the result of a drunken freak, but it is likely to get the men who took part in it into serious trouble. The prisoners wore brought before the Waimate Bench to-day and remanded till to-morrow week.