The Kelly Gang Still at Large.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume 6, Issue 595, 9 January 1879, Page 2

The Kelly Gang Still at Large.

THEY THREATEN TO BREAKUP THE RAILWAY. RAILWAY SERVANTS ARMED WITH REVOLVERS. BANKS ARMED AND PREPARED FOR ATTACKS. [From Special Correspondent Melbourne Argus.] - Melbourne, December 28. Another quiet day has passed, without a single sensational rumor relative to the whereabouts of the Kelly gang having been received. Another party of troopers left the township towards evening, but their destination was kept secret. The number of detectives at Wangaratta was also strengthened during the day. I saw a resident at Wangaratta to-day who is quite positive, from what he heard atthe time, that Joseph Byrne, one of the gang, was m a public billiardroom m that township one evening during the present week. He says that Byrne, was recognised by a young man iWho knows him well, and .that when he Saw he was noticed he left the room, and, having given a whistle, was joined by another man, and they then rapidly made off before any information could be given to the police authorities. The usual excuse is given when the question is put, "Why was he not seized by those m the room if he was recognised. They all say, " Oh, very liksly he might have had a revolver about him." There have been so many contradictory statements relative to whether the police can or cannot participate m the reward now offered for the arrest of the outlaws, that it is as well to state authoritatively that the police regulations provide that m the event of any reward being offered, and any trooper, constable, or non-commissioned officer showing special intelligence, energy, and acumen, it is m the power of the chief commissioner of the police to recommend the reward, or any part of it being paid to him. Officers of police are, of course, prohibited from receiving any portion of such award. In this case there can be no doubt but that those troopers who are fortunate enough to be present when the outlaws are captured or shot, will have the reward distributed amongst them. It may also be said that m the event of any civilian giving information of the whereabouts of the gang, and that such information should prove correct, he will receive his proportion of the reward without his bemgpreae^i^eß-4vt#l*^-*5-4nade.-I am glad to say that the safety of Mr. Healey, of the Strathbogie Station, has been assured. It was feared, owing to his unexplained absence from home, that he had fallen into the hands of the Kellys. It turns out that he was unavoidably detained from home on business matters. Mansfield. The police seem to be as far off the capture of the Kellys as ever, and from what has recently been reported to me I believe the gang are hiding m their old places awaiting the result of Ned Kelly's letter. X a free pardon is granted, the outlaws will leave the colony, but if it is refused they intend filling up the measure of their iniquity and will stop at nothing to carry out their full revenge until they esoape altogether, or are shot down. Walter Lynch, who is charged with sending a threatening letter to Mr. Monk, is now to stand his trial m Melbourne ; and it is suggested that special protection should be given to the train that carries the witnesses from Mansfield to Melbourne, as Kelly might with some reason show his spite against that particular passenger train if he were so disposed. With regard to Mansfield itself, lam glad to announce that every precaution is taken by the police to guard the town —even to adopting a suggestion which I made some time since, that the streets should be closely watched during the night. Out of this vigilance, however, arose an occurrence that was nearly proving serious. As one of the police marched by the camp with his revolver, he was challenged by another policeman under the verandah of the camp; but not answering the challenge—which the patroller looked upon as a joke— the station policeman levelled his rifle, and threatened to shoot unless an answer was immediately given. The patroller instantly replied, and thus probably saved Wb life. To prove that there are persons m Mansfield who are well acquainted with the doings of the Kellys, I may mention that a day or two since two women passed up the strat, and one was heard to say to the other, «« My Dan knew they was going to stick up the bank." As soon as the speaker saw she was noticed she became silent immediataly. c . t -,-. . Alexandra. Senior-constable Irvine, with a party of seven police, arrived here this evening after # being out a considerable time m search of Kelly's gang, but as far as I could learn they saw little or no trace of thenu The men presented rather a dilapidated appearance, their clothes showing unmistakable marks of rough bush life, and their horses, though m >cry fair order, seemed weary from traversing the steep rangy country they had come across. The party, who are all well armed with rifles and revolvers, start again shortly, but their destination is kept a profound secret. Another party of 10 mounted police were seen a day or two ago not far from Jamieson, but these also had been unsuccessful m their search for the Kellys. They were the on the road to the Wee Ranges. Most of the upcountry town-shipß are now well protected, and Alexandra has at presnt several members of the force stationed m the town. Before the police arrived at Molesworth to-day, f heard that Stewart's Habeshowe station, near Ghin Ghin, had been stuck np by the Kellys, who, having been supplied with provisions, tookiheir departing J I I