LOWER VALLEY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3989, 15 December 1891, Page 2

LOWER VALLEY.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) I notice in your obituary notice of thelateMr Bobt. Gillies you enumerate amongst the many occupations that he had pursued his having been a carrier in the golden age between Dunedin and Gabriel's Gully. In conversation he has related to myself and others the many eventful incidents he experienced in supplying the diggers with 3tores that had to be conveyed over that long, rough and dreary road between the town and the diggings. On his return journey on one occasion, and in a lonely part of the road, having made all snug for the night, he was just about to turn in when he noticed two horses approaching. They soon came up, and were not long m acquainting him (Mr Gillies) of the purport of their mission. 1 need hardly say that they were members of that society that make a practice of living on what others earn—especially on goldfields. It would appear that they thought they had seoured a riob find in the shape of a dray loaded with nuggets. They were, however, doomed to disappointment, but betore making even a casual inspection of the coriteats of the conveyance, they, more forcibly ihau politely, ordered the driver (Mr Gillies) to stind and deliver all he had. He tried to explain to them that he had little or nothing, but to no purpose. While one held a loaded revolver to his head the other quite unceremoniously bound him in a verti cal position to one of the dray wheels, Having, as they thought, made bim thoroughly 3ecure, they made a microscopic examination of the contents of the dray. They doubtless soon saw they had made a mistake, and after distributing the contents on the ground,to sooth their disappointed feelings, they seemed to resolve to Camp there for the night. Having made themselves comfortable with the blankets at hand, they first treated their stneds to Mr Gillies, oats, and securely fastened them in case of surprise. They took a good stiff pick-me-up of the " Crater,' and then retired, to sleep the sleep of the unjust. Their repose was of only short duration, however, for the hero of this adventure, having acquired the secrets of tbe Davenport Bros in untying ropes, soon released himself from bondage, and having satisfied himself tlat bis yisitors were safely in the hands of Morpheus, secured the revolver that had been carefully laid by the side of its owner. Ho then retreated quietly and unloosed their horses, which took advantage of their freedom and made tracks. Mr Gillies then related with evident satisfaction that it was his turn to command. He aroused the slumberers, and without many words {a trait in Ins nature) explained the Rosjtjon, muph tq their (jjsmay and disgust. He advised them to put as much space as was possible in a limited time between him and them, They did not hesitate long, but hurried after their steeds, cursing their lot, and night's adventure. Mr Gillies said he was equally glad to see the last of them, as they probably were of him, and he always retained a vivid recollection of that night's adventure.

Having bad a personal acquaintance of thelate Mr Gillies formore than 25 years. I endorse with pleasure the opinions expressed by Mr Linton. He was a man of splendid physique, in facr, like many others of good physique, he seemed to think he was impervious to climatic changes. 1 have witnessed him felling bush with only a singlet on, when I felt cold, wrapped up in an overcoat. However, neglect will tell ou the strongest con. stitution, and there can be no doubt that his untimely end was accelerated by his callousness to either wet or cold.