AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Colonist, Volume VI, Issue 634, 20 November 1863, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AFFRAY WITH THE BUSHRANGERS.

BURKE SHOT.

EANSOM OF £500 PAID TO THE GANG.

BEATERY OF MR. AND MRS. KEIGHTLEY.

A despatch from Bathurst of October 25 to the Sydney Morning JELeraU states — Gilbert, O'Meally, Ben Hall, Vane, and Burke, yesterday evening made an attack the house of Mr. Commissioner Kejghtley, situated at Dunn's -Plains, near Rockley. Mr. Keightly was outside the house when the (bushrangers- rode .up, and on being ordered to stand he rushed in at the, door, five or six shots being fired at him as he did, so. Seizing a double barrelled gun, only one barrel of which was loaded, Mr.: Keightly came; to the door, and. aiming at Burke, shot him in the abdomen, —when he, reeled jind/ tottered to the side of the house, . exclaiming "I am done for." Burke said he woultr never be taken alive, and. then endeavored to shoot himself,with. his own. revolverj but; he was unable to effect his, purnpse, forj after; firing two shots unsuccessfully, he fell to the ground. ■ During the whole of this time;; volley after volley was fired into the house by the other men! Eeightley had no more ammunition, and was therefore; obliged^ to surrender. When he_ did so the bushrangers were upon the point of shooting him1 down, but Mrs. Keightley ran before her,; husband,, and by that means saved his life., The bushrangers, however, took him prisoner^; as also Dr. Peechey, -who-was there,- andl declared that if a ransom of £500' Was not paid by two o!clock this day, they would shoot or hang them,both. :The two \ ; gentlemen were taken ito the' (top of -a hill near, and Mrs. Keightley,-accompanied by young: Mr. Peechey, rode into Bathurst to her father, Mr. Rottbn, M.L.A. Mr. Rotton at once procured the money, and proceeding to the spot, handed it to the bushrangers,'who liberated! their prisoners. It was not until after-the money, was paid - that -information could be;given to the police, as. the ;rufiians placed scouts:-to give them warning,,.,and Mrs; KeighiJley was told that both her husband and Dr. iPeeclieyi would be shot if faith:was not (kept. Dr. PeecheyJin "the meantime had attended to. Burke,, who .wast alive;but unconscious, and-iu- a-fearfulrstate.' After the moneyhadc been paid, -the bush* rangers procured a~ cart, and took .the almost lifele'ss.body:of Bufke amf witti them.. ~ A later telegram, transmitted two .days later saysirr-r ■ • • . It is reported - that'the; police''have got possession of;Btirke's b6dy,'which was1 being taken to his", father, by -two men "^hom .'the bushrangers, paid' for the purpose. : 1 1 The body,, has been; takenito Oarcoar, where' an inquest will'be held upon it. It is further stated that the' Crovemment of ~N:&: i:W. have, ordered the,payinent : tq the Keightley's of. £500, being the sum offered for the apprehension of Burke. .