CAPTURE OF A BUSHRANGER.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 765, 19 January 1871, Page 3

CAPTURE OF A BUSHRANGER.

Bushranging is an industry that does r_ot flourish in Victoria. It has often been tried, and has as often proved a failure. Not warned by Power's unhappy fate, a brace of ruffians, who, like Power.'were fond of good horseflesh, entered recently into business on the Yarra track, and for a few days prospered exceedingly. They stole two rifles from one gentleman, and a pair of racehorses from another, but, alas, for their want of foresight, they forgot to steal the hobbles! So the racehorses got away, and proceeded homeward, and this equine disaster put a brave policeman, named Mays, on the highwaymen's scent. He followed the trail to a thickly wooded piece of bush country within twentyfive miles of Wood's' Point, where he boldly faced the ruffians, one of them armed, the other about to pick up his rifle. One of the fellows, named Sullivan, fired at Mays and the ball passed over the constable's left shoulder. Mays seizing Smith, the other ruffian, used him as a target for his friend's bullets, and actually pushed him before him towards Sullivan, intending if possible to capture the pair of scoundrels. Sullivan, however, took to flight, hearing the approach of some one. and the constable had to be content with but one prisoner. May's conduct is deserving of the very highest praise, for had the fellows got a fair start there is no doubt, from what they had already achieved, that they would have committed other | depredations of a serious character before they were fairly run to earth. The capture of Smith has afforded another exemplification of tho glorious uncertainty of the law. Sullivan and Smith were tried recently for robbing the dwelling of Mr Symmonds, the Under Treasurer, and a jury of their countrymen acquitted them! In the possession of Smith, when Mays captured

him, were one or two rifles stolen from the premises of Mr Symmonds. Closely pursued as Sullivan is, it may be expected that it will not be long before he is in the hands of tho police.— " Melbourne Leader."