THE SECRET OF GARDINER'S SUCCESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 383, 13 March 1863, Page 5

THE SECRET OF GARDINER'S SUCCESS

The Marengo correspondent of the Yass Courier • writes on the 7th instant as follows : —February 7. — In my communication of the 30th ultimo, I stated that I was' sanguine as to the result of the expedition in search of the bushrangers, but I am sorry to say that the police were unsuccessful, and from circumstances I have since ascertained, the cause of this bad luck is explained. It seems in consequence of the gold escorts being strongly guarded, and the money order system being introduced by the postal authorities, that General Gardiner finds it expedient to change his tactics. lam informed that this captain of the'" free 'companions" has divided his band into two parts, viz., the " neophytes," aud " men-at-arms,'1 and the modus opcrandi of his last raid was as follows: —Bight or nine of these neophvtes, or apprentices, headed by Johnny Gilbert, were dispatched as a decoy to beat up the enemy's quarters, that is, the surrounding stations, to make plenty ot noise, &c, and then to securely " plant" ror a few days. The news soon reaches Lambing Plat, and the commanding officer there, with his usual impetuosity and zeal, arms and mounts all his available force, consequently leaving those diggings contiguous to the Flat. qui:e unprotected, (for the foot police are only of use to the town itself,) the very thing aimed at and required by the übiquitous captain of " free lances," who instantly musters five or six of his most stalwart and unscrupulous men-at-arms, and in broad day-light rides up to one of the largest stores in Spring Gully (one mile from the Flut,)oooly tie up their horses, and leaving two men outside to prevent awkward intrusion, march in, " bail up" the inmates, and obtain considerable booty, including am munition,, revolvers, and about £60 in I cash. Of course they experienced no interruption from the authorities, as the villians were well aware that the police were on a wild-goose and previously putand-dried chase, miles away—which was the case, with the exception of one unfortunate constable, who happened to be serving a warrant in the neighbourhood : he was ordered by the taller of the two rogues outside the store, to " stand and deliver." He, being what is called a foot constable, -^as unarmed; consequently he had no other alternative but to comply with the disgusting requisition; still he slightly hesitated, and received one or two heavy blows from the butts of their pistols: and when the store was thoroughly gutted, and the operators mounted, he was condescendingly told to go to that place the antithesis of cool and comfortable ■ taking the precaution, however, to deprive him first of his horse, saddle, and bridle, which being his own property, made things still more disagreeable. The stationowners about here have been so often plundered that they now keep scarcely anything on their premises that would be considered available by the bushrangers ; therefore when they are visited by robbers the attack is only a ruse on the junior part ot the rascals, to draw or decoy trie police away from a wealthier place—previously spotted. And another thing that greatly counteracts the strenuous efforts of the mounted police, is the system of " bush telegraphy," which I will explain. Of all the numerous settlers on ' the Pish Eiver, Abercrombie Ranges, or the Levels, scarcely half are true subjects : only five settlers on the Levels are considered by the police to be trulv loyal, and free from the taiat of harbouring and directly, or indirectly, encouraging bushransing. For instance, ai'out three or four months ago, the patrol were on the Bland Plains (the Levels,) in pursuit of some well-known desperadoes, who they knew were not many miles off, and they called at a slightly suspected station, but, being unsuccessful, th-y proceeded to the next station, the residence of a truly loyal man—a gentleman, though boasting of no gresit birth or educatiou—no scion of aristocratic tree, yet still a gentleman : '• for honest men are the gen-, tlemen of nature." He gave the officer in co.mmand all the information in his power, but while doing so he suddenly exclaimed : " Haste, or you'll be too late ; fqr by Jove, there goes the ' telegram' from 51r 's place you passed last." The officer looked in the direction pointed ouf, and there saw straight across one of the highest ranges, at a stretching gallop, a finely mounted youth. No time was lost by the patrol, but when they got to their destination, they found the residents calmly awaiting their arrival, hayi»g been evidently on the lookout for some time. Of course everything was found correct and square ; so that the police had to return sadder, but in slightly one sense, (i. e. bush telegraphy), wiser men. There is a strong suspicion that a "bush telegram" exists in this very towship; for upon the day that Gardiner despatched his junior corps upon the above-mentioned strategic expedition to i?entick Morrell, and some other stations ; after the plundering they camped in the evening in a secluded part of the bush, near Marengo, not very far off the old sheep station, and were there visited by some two or three members of a ceitain family here. This I have been told as a fact, and, if, upon further inquiry, I find it to be so, I will, through the medium of your columns, regardless of consequences (notwithstanding their social position), thoroughly expose them; for I consider it the boundeu duty of each and all loyal subjects of Her Majesty to do everything in his or their power to check 'the wholesale atrocious depredations now carrying on; and until every one of these dens of refuge and " bush telegrams'' are absolutely exterminated, all the efforts of the authorities to put down bushranging will be futile and abortive.