BUSHRANGING.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 30, 9 August 1864, Page 3

BUSHRANGING.

The Mockhampton Bulletin, of July 16, reports the death of Wright, the bushranger. It .will be remembered that Queensland was, a short time since"; infested by fl gang of desparadoes, four in number, viz.— Webster, Hill, Fagan, and Wright, They have all beeri disp'oscd df in tile space of a few weeks — Webster, shot by the police magistrate ; Hill and Fagan captured ; and lastly, Wright, shot by Mr. Paton. It seems Wright was approaching the spot where Mr. Paton and some others were camped. He was recognised by Mr. Paton, who presented a hair-trigger revolver, and told the bushranger to stand and hold up his hands. This he did, but lowered them again towards his belt. Mr. Paton's pistol was discharged, it is said, accidentally ; but however that may be, Wright fell, and immediately expired. A magisterial inquiry was subsequently held, the opinion of the Bench being that the killing of Wright was "justifiable homicide." The proceedings appear to have been irregular, and another inquiry was to be held. With regard to the capture of Morgan, which we mentioned in our last issue, the Age says : — " Morgan called at Mr. Lyons' station, West Ballan, and asked for a meal, which was supplied to him ; having satisfied the cravings of hunger, he went to the fire to light his pipe, and while stooping down for this purpose, some persons in the room, who were standing behind him at the time, caught sight of a row of revolvers under his coat. He was at once suspected of being the notorious bushranger, and the police at Bali an were quickly informed of the circumstance. It appears that a party of eight troopers, composed of two men selected from the districts of Kyneton, Ballan, Bacchus Marsh, and Blow's Flat, were, from information received, out looking for Morgan. Being informed of the visit of the mysterious stranger, they at once took measures for his capture, and ultimately secured him about eight o'clock the same evening, on the Pentland Hills. Our informant understood that the prisoner was to be brought up before Mr. Shooter, J.P., yesterday morning, It seems that, some seven or eight years ago, Morgan filled the duties of horsebreaker and groom to the late Mr. Simon Staughton. He was afterwards in business as a butcher on Pentland Hills, and had to quit the neighborhood on account of a charge of cattle stealing hanging over him. About three weeks ago, he Btuck tip a man in New South Wales, who had formerly known him as a butcher on the Pentland Hills, and this person had written to his friends on the hills, suggesting that they might as well look for his re-appearance amongst them, as New South Wales had become too hot for him. This intimation had, no doubt, sometliing to do with his speedy recognition and capture. It will be a source of some satisfaction that the arrest is due to the promptitude of the Victorian police, and that the large reward offered for Morgan's capture will not go into the pockets of any members of the force over the Border, who appear to have discharged their duties in a manner calculated best to secure their own convenience and safety rather than the protection of the colonists."