A REMINISCENCE OF THE BURGESS AND KELLY GANG.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2114, 13 October 1875, Page 3

A REMINISCENCE OF THE BURGESS AND KELLY GANG.

The following story, by Father. Mpreau, of Otaki, is told by a Fielding correspondent of the Warigauui Herald. The story as given reads:—Perhaps most of you have read or heard of that gang of bad men, three of whom were hanged at Nelson for many murders. Their names were Burgess;\£elly, Levy, and >ullivan, latter of whom is in Melbourne gaol, and there likely to remain. Well, these men did settle in what manner I was to be murdered and buried; and I listened tathem allthe time ! I b&d been but a short iime in Dunedia when the golddiggings were opened on the Dunstan, and

my Bishop ordered me "to go up afc once You must Know the track was bad and heavy.- and the way long; but there were plenty of f swag-men^'for^company, all bound for " the digginsrßv^;%o that I wanted hot for food on theroujieupwards. I stayed at the Dunstjphabbot two months, before I set out on my return to Dunedin, this time alone. About three days 1 journey from Dunedin. at noon, I laid down to rest arid fell into a quiet sleep, from which I wa^ ar.oased,' by voices near ! me. arranging the mode ofmy- murder ! and burial. I.was indeed frightened, but [in an instant 1 remembered the words of lithe lord; " that whoso putteth his trust ' in Him need have no fear of the wicked man." So I got up from the groaiii. and walked up to these men, who.lay in; wait a few Jyards from-mer-but not without a slight trembling—and looking up suddenly, said, "Good day to you, men." They touched tlieir hats, all but the Jew, and replied, "Good day. your reverence." So you see, God did not desert me in the hour of trial, nor will he fail anyone who trusts him sincerely. Whilst Sullivan was confined in Dunedin prison, the priest visited the Roman Catholic inmates, and a mutual recognition and explanation took place. Sullivan stated that he alone prevented the other three from murdering the holy father, " for although I have spilt blood like rain, thank God the death of-a priest is not on my head." Who can tell that this man, murderer though he be of the worst type, may not ere this, in his secret heart, have repented Ids sins.