LYNCH-LAW.

Observer, Volume IV, Issue 84, 22 April 1882, Page 83

LYNCH-LAW.

People are generally under the impression that a bushman is an individual, if not actually inclined to dishonesty, at least of very low morals However far this impression prevails on the minds of town-bred people, the fact remains that a strong feeling of honesty exists in every bush camp, demonstrated in a -way to strike terror into a certain class of long-fingered gentlemen. The following incident is one : — A certain hotel-keeper, after selling his business, and on the eve of his leaving for another field of operations, started on a tour through the various bushes of the Makarau to collect some outstanding debts. He had got a pretty palpable hint about bush wages, and carried in consequence a supply of " grog " in various shaped bottles, of which he left one or two at the different camps, according to the number of men present. All went well and merry, debtors that he found paid him in orders (payable in Auckland), till he came to 0. V's camp. One bottle he served out shortly before supper, and another — the last (Wolfe's Aromatic Schiedam Schnapps) — he placed in a bag on a side-board. Looking for it after supper, he found the bottle had been abstracted. A vigorous search was instituted, and the missing bottle was at last found carefully concealed between some slopbarrels, standing outside the whare, close to the chimney. The bottle was quiely replaced by one of the same shape filled with water, and one of the brothers Y. concealed himself in a convenient place, where, by the light of the moon, he commanded a full view of the scene. The plan succeeded to perfection. P. Y. pounced upon the thief as he was in the act of lifting the bottle from its place of concealment. The wretch turned out to be an old grey -haired sinner, acting as cook in the camp. His feeble attempts at defence were easily confounded by overwhelming proof. The whole camp was in uproar, but everybody returned at last quietly to his bunk till morning. On the morning, after' breakfast, all hands waited till 0. Y. himself came up. As soon as the latter had settled accounts with the old xoguc, the same was received by willing hands and speedily stripped of his clothing. It did not take long to make an application of Stockholm tar and pigeon feathers, special care being taken to give a good head-covering. He made his exit from the camp, amidst the deafening cheers of 30 stalwart bushm.on, presenting an appearance half-way betwen a monkey and a bird of Paradise. Had it been worth while, he would have had an ample escort of honour to the next town. How he got rid of his plumage is a mystery yet.