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West Coast Times, Issue 320, 2 October 1866, Page 2

Reverting to the late dreadful atrocities which were perpetrated by Burgess's gang, wo hear that Sullivan is persistent iv his declaration that many imirdei-a beside those already known were committed by his confreres in crime. Sergeant Dyer, who has lately*returned from Nelson, states that during his stay there he several times conversed with Sullivan < who distinctly avowed that Burgess and Kelly many times boasted of their nefarious practices in Westland, averring that had made away with mauy travellers between the Kanieri township and Hokitika, x and buried their bodies in the bush. It was in that locality where the greatest number ofjj their diabolical acts were committed. We are inclined to doubt this assertion, from the fact that never, iniour recollection, wero any inquiries instituted touching the sudden and mysterious disappearance of mates or acquaintances, which surely must have taken place had such a wholesale system of slaughter really been adopted. We publish the above without the faintest desiro to excite sonsafcion, but as the statement made by Sullivan may be truthfiU, it may perhaps excite the attention of miners and others who at/ the time missed their Mends but forbore to make enquiries concerning them, from tho impression that they had made their way to some,., of the numerous rushes which then caused such excitement thrpughout the coast. Wo would advise those parties who have ihq slightest reason to imagine that their friends were foully dealt with to at' ouco communicate with, the police. We have several times had occasion to animadvert upon the recklessness too often displayed, by equestrians in- riding at a furious

pace along the beach, which forms the only highway between this town, Greymouth, and the numerous beach workings scattered along Iho lino of route. It is daily traversed by numbers of pedestrians, who are unable to hour tho approach of horse or man, as the sand being soft completely deadens the sound of approaching footsteps. Hence tho utmost care is requisite on tho part of "mounted men to avoid running down, and perhaps seriously injuring, their less fortunate brethren who are compelled to trust to "shanks' mare" as a means of locomotion. Many narrow escapes have taken place, butTintil yesterday we never heard of a case of one man absolutely riding down another, and we feel much surprise that the party in question, whose name we withhold, should-have been guilty of such a gross piece of careleßsneßs. Our attention wa9 called to the occurrence by a miner, who stated that on Sunday last he, in .company with two others, was walking on the beacb> towards Hokitika, and when a little von this side of tho Auckland township, two 'horsemen dashed by at full speed, one of whom ran against one of his companions named Thomas M'Caul, hurling him violently to the ground. The man reco/erod his feet immediately, but seemed much shaken,' and eventually it was found ■necessary to convey him to his tent, and obtain the services of a medical man. He has since f> ecome-much worse, and it is feared has received severe internal injuries, as he oomcomplains of intense pain in his side and chest. Our informant made the police aware of tho above facts, and afterwards made application that the poor fellow should bo admitted into the hospital, as he is quite destitute, having been very unfortunate lately in mining speculations. We trust the leave applied for was at once accorded, as the object is without doubt a worthy one.

The weekly returns from tho district gaol, for the week ending. Saturday, September 29th, have been submitted to us by Mr Dale, the gaoler, and from ;.t; .t we find that 1 prisoner was admitted' on committal, and 1 debtor discharged from custody. -'The number and classification of prisoners, at the above date, wore: uudcr committal for trial at the Supreme Court, 8 ; undergoing sentences of hard labor, 25 ; simple imprisonment, 2 j debtors", 5. Total, 40.