The Kelly Gang.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3295, 14 July 1879, Page 3

The Kelly Gang.

Considerable excitement was created in Melbourne on Saturday by the circulation of a number of sensational rumours with regard to the Kelly gang, which were founded upon the assertion that Kato Kelly, and other friends of the outlaws, had arrived in town, and were about to sail for Sydney. The news quickly spread, and as each of those who circulated the rumour did not refrain from adding something to it the moat absurd s^ato-

ments soon gained ground, culminating ,on Saturday night in a v>Ty general belief that the whole of the gang had safely effected their escape from the colony. As a matter of fact, it appears that on Friday night Mrs Skillian, a married sister of the Kellys, accompanied by another woman and a young j man, came down by train from Benalla to "Melbourne. On the journey they were recognised by a gentleman carrying on business in the North-Eastern district,

by,whom information was at once given to the, police. The party were immediately pnt under surveillance, and were traced to an hotel in Carlton, where they st|ll remaini. None of the party were seep'^atSabdridue on Saturday. The police are extremely reticent upon the subject, and somewhat bitterly complain that if there had been any chance of gaining information as to the movements of the outlaws by observing the actions of

their friends while in town, it has been

entirely, spoilt by the attention which has Doen called to their presence in Mel}Jt?QTir,ne., While it is possihle that the iifiaiit of Mrs Skillian may have something to do with a preconcerted plan for enabling the outlaws to quit the country, there is

a very strong impression abroad that the movement may, after all, b"e but a ruse to divert 'the attention of the police from

soma mrtvemeht in another direction. "■•The. authorities hare, howerer, taken every care to provide against, such a pos- ■ . ;■;■, ; .. j y'^'Th'^;detective authorities are in posf^es^i6'n" of most .important: information; with regard to tbe Kelly gang. The visit of Mrs Skillian and her companions; to Melbourne does not appear to have any important significance attached to it, but the actions of cert«in male sympa- 1 thisers with the gang, who have also come; to town, conclusively establishes the, fact that the butfaws are preparing for:

another attack upon the community. At present ifc is not desirable that any further particulars of what has transpired should be made public, as it would be calculated to render the operations of the detect!res utterly futile. The rumours that hare been circulated with regard to the visit to Melbourne of certain female connexions of the Kelly gang \ are, >as has already been stated, based upon :a foundation of very slight nature, and there is very little doubt but that their appearance was merely a ryse to i draw "off the attention of the'police from a really important move which was to be made. As a matter of fact, the , tfathtfrities werei however on the gui vive, and the real object of the movement was soon detected. Although it was injudi-. cious at the time to mention the actual state 6f affairs, it can now be done without aiiy, .fear of the movements of the police Being, thwarted. It would appear that the gang have recently run sborfr'of a'rin's and' ammunition, and two of their asmpathisers were despatched to Melbppene to, purchase a fresh, supply. The men, "who were closely watched, pur- ■ chased what was required, and have now. returned to the bush to furnish the gang witblthe itiaterial they so greatly need. They are well known to the detectives, howeTer, and warrants have been issued by the Melbourne Bench for their apprehension, and probably in the course of a few days something important in connec--tion with the affair will traspire.— Australasian. ; ' ,