BUSHRANGING DAYS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 33, 8 August 1934, Page 13

BUSHRANGING DAYS

MEMORIES OF NED KELLY

Memories of Ned Kelly's boyhood and of tho outlaw's later escapades were recalled recently by Mr. Edward Bennett, of Briagolong, Victoria, who celebrated Ms 100 th birthday. Mr. Beunett, who was born in County Armagh, Ireland, near Belfast, oji July 13, 1834, arrived at Goclong in tuo sailing ship .London in 1851. Ho went to Burwood, and after engaging in wood carting.■'. planted an orchard, which ho conducted successfully for a number of years. Mr. Bennett then started horse-deal-ing and bought horses for the Camberwoll Bus Company. Ho was regardod as a first-class judge of horses, and bought extensively from Campbell and Sons. This business proved highly profitable.

"I knew Ned Kelly when he was a boy at the Rocky Waterholea," snid Mr. Bennett. "I can well remember camping there when three bushrangers —members oi: tho gang—came up. One ordered mo to boil their billy, and ho gave mo ss, but robbed all tho others in the camp." In 1886 Mr. Bennett bought tho Turf Hotel at Sale, Victoria, from James Hammond. Ho > paid £850 for it, and four yoara hitor soM it to George English for £2000. ' ' ■ -■ .

Briagolong, which was to become tho home of Mr. Bennett,,was at this titno a flourishing settlement, and its people engaged in hop-growing, wine-making, fruit-growing, and gold-mining, and a cheeso factory waa also established there. It wals in this settlement that Mr. Bennett was employed by the la to Michael Landy.

Nearly every romantic figure ot: Australia's early days turned his hand to RoM-niining. Mr. Bennett was no exception. Ho also wont to New Zealand find trier! Ms luck at the Gabriel's Gully gold rush in Obigo.