MELBOURNE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 141, 17 September 1853, Page 5

MELBOURNE.

By a very fortunate accident llie detectives have succeeded in apprehending1 two of the bushrangers concerned in the late atrocious attack on the private escort. The fellows were on board the ' Madagascar,' which was starting for England; so that they were " hooked" exactly in time. Private information enables me to give you the rather singular story codnected with their apprehension. A respectable young man was at the M'lvor diggings, and near him was a tent in which there congregated from time to time a very suspicious lot of unmistakeable Vandemomans. On the morning of the outrage, the young man looked into the tent, and saw about twenty of these fellows lying about as if sleeping oft-a debauch, but all armed to the teeth. His suspicions were aroused —and sure enough the robbery happened that day—whereupon the young man examined the suspicious tent, and not a single soul of the gang was there! He remained some days at

the diggings, but never a man of his neighbours returned. He then came down to Melbourne, and made some enquiries after them at a lodg-ing-house, of which he had accidentally overheard them make mention. He was informed that some of them were starting for England in the " Madagascar," so he communicated his suspicions to the police, and upon his testimony the two fellows found on board were arrested. It will be a very lucky thing if any of the Escort men can identify them. If so, they are certain of being convicted. There is not a shadow of doubt as to the whole gang being genuine " old hands" from the neighbouring island—another beautiful attestation to the benefits of'that beautiful system for which Lord Grey has stickled so stoutly—his last effort (let us hope his very last) having been signally tinsuccessful, thanks to the present liberal-minded statesman-like ministry. Melbourne Correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald.