BUSHRANGING ON THE BULLER.

Colonist, Volume X, Issue 704, 25 January 1867, Page 2

BUSHRANGING ON THE BULLER.

CAPTURE OF THE BUSHRANGERS.

(From the Westport Times and Butter JExpress t January 23.) . ,

o~s Monday night no little excitement was caused by a report that a man named Nicholls had been stuckup near the Blackwater, and on investigation the report proved to be correct. It seems that the sufferer, Eichard Nicholls, was coming down from the luangahua and arrived at Lloyd's. The weather Wits bad, and several parties there strongly advised him not to proceed, as he would not be able to cross the river. In spite of this advice, however, he did go on, but after proceeding some distance was obliged to give in. As he supposed, most fortunately, he met with a tent in which were three men, and on asking to he allowed to shelter, permission was at once granted. This was on Sunday morning Nicholls during the day. finding that four £1 notes that he had in his pocket were wet, toot, them out and dried them a*- the five, and then retarned them to his pocket. Nothing more passed till about nine o'clock at night, when one of the three men deliberately-loaded a gun, and having done, so, told the astonished Nicholls to bail up. He thought at first they were in jest, but soon found-to the contrary, and the ruffians forthwith proceeded to search him. They took the notes referred to, half &■ sovereign, and eight ounces of gold, and having done this marched him into the bush, about fifty yards from the track, and about thirty from the river. They then with their belts strapped him to a tree, and as they did not think him sufficiently secure, cut up a piece of duck and with the strips further fastened him, binding him by the neok, by the nrms, and by the legs to the tree. After doing this they got a piece of stick, put it into his mouth, and tied it there. The first gag was,'after a little consideration on their part, not thought large enough, and another was substituted of greater dimensions, when they facetiously told their victim to halloo. He remained in this eond'tion for some hours, afraid to move, for the men threatened to shoot him if. he stirred. At the end of that t:'me he tried to extricate himself, and found that he -could undo some of the straps, but one for-a length' of time baffled him. At length he broke-that.and-freed himself, but in the effort tore off one of his boots, and did not care to stay for it. He lost the other in the scrub directly after, and was then bootless, with ouly a shirt and drawers on, and the weather fearful. After a miserable night, during .which time he scrambled along.in and by the side of the-river, as he best could, he at length came in sight of a tent-where he received every kindness and attention.. A message was sent to Lloyd's, and a canoe with Christian, Fred Smith, who had boon up on a tour, and .four others came down and took him in. Before reaching the tent we omitted to state that Nicholls, on. descending a bill saw the robbers behind him following the track. As maybe imagined he ran as fast as bis legs would carry him, and .fortunately for him .at the foot there was a creek into which he plunged up to his neck, and remained till the men passed by within a couple of yards of him. They had seen some one but it was nearly dark and they could not recognise Nicholls, and he heard one of them say " Oh, it could not be him, we tied the b ■* too safe." On getting into ■the canoe the relieving party started down stream, and after going a mile or two saw the men they wanted ahead on the bank, and hailed them. They seemed inclined to stop and accept the offer of a free trip down, but suddenly caught si^lit of Nicholls and bolted into the bush. Three of the canoe party, who were armed, lauded and gave chase, but could not catcli the runaways, and then they came on to town and reached hero about nine o'clock at night. When they tied up Nicholls they stuffed his trousers between his back and-the tree, and put the remnants of the fly over his head to keep the rain off him. Mounted Constable Doris and acting Constable Stewart set out to look after the desperadoes. They crossed over the river, and proceeded along the bank about three miles, when they came to an old Maori whare, in which they ascertained some men were. Doris asked the way to the Blackwater, and the reply was that those inside did not know, having only just come up from the Buller. His next request was to be allowed to come inside, but* this was refused, and ultimately he forced au entrance, when throe men were found whose description tallied very nearly with that given by Nicholls. They were at once arrested and searched, but only £2 in notes was found on them. They had no blankets or, swags of any description, and as the constables were only two to three it was not possible for them to waste time in looking for them. The prisoners were at once handcuffed, brought down, and crossed over in a boat. Nicholls was at the bank to meet them, and "at once identified them as the men that had robbed him. A large number of persons were soon gathered, and accompanied them to the lock-up, and on their being safely caged three cheers were given, for the police. The police deserve every credit for their activity in the matter, and Constablo Doris particularly deserves special-, credit for the pluck and judgment he showed. Q?wo of the men are very young, and very unlike stickers-up, add we should think but new chum bushrangers, but the" third is evidently of a different stamp. They gave their names as Alexander M'Pherson, '.'James Thompson, and James Anderson, though whether those sre their right apellations cannot of course be at present told. They will be brought up on Friday, wltenrMiv KynnQrsley"will sit, and there is very little doubt bu.t that they will bo conmuttsd, tp N, ekwa ;f<a? tyiali

■T^iyTlßKea supplement with this morniugls ■)/o»/x/. - f,, om the Council to the ■The gwnj . Rpport ; onei | ._ Foi> ■niversary ■ _ min , cn Knst, £50; Wnimea ■ 1?on , Smith £50; and Motueka, £50. Mr. ■°- 4 , twwhl very pertinently asked what tlio ■ lh f ntimmi(^c'proposed to give to Collingwood ■fTnknlja, but ho g«t no reply. ■ ■11 be observed from our advertisements, that ■Vn!or 0«c Siiporintendent is to deliver an address ■ i lectors on provincial and colonial affairs, in B, PrOTinciafHall, nest Monday evening. Hoy Feast.—On Wednesday last, the teachers ■ i li'ls of the Sunday Schools in connection ■" P"i S(i] llirc ]] of England, assembled in the ■ ..„• .„ ground on the 'Maitai for the purpose • -'nff the usual annual holiday and treat. H OTn7imber of cliildron was very 'large, giving VI > c of tlio important work, silently but zca- ■' l! rosceuli'cl by those 'teachers, chiefly Indies, ■ IS'deVotc themselves with praiseworthy disintorH'°n S3 to the imparting of valuable instruction ■ c,," ' To ,iii?. To all appearances the children WLm*A thoroughly to enjoy themselves, entering Kh much spirit into various games and pastimes Hi the conduct of their teachers and the Rev. ■ 6Jolmstone the Clergyman. A liberal repast I'fl shape of tea, and the usual accompaniments 'provided for them on the ground by Mrs. linstone and lier lady frionddj and ample justice done to it by the youngsters. A series of "zes «™s nfterwfll'^s distributed by the Rev. Mr. hnsto'ne, who addressed appropriate and interfinff rem'nrks to each successful piipil. Parents nnof- be too grateful for the "deep interest taken their children, both by Mr. and Mrs. Jolmstone d those Indies who so kindly co-operate with and it is to be hoped lhat the proceedings Wednesday will be duly appreciated both by rents mid pupils, and will act ns an inducement ] them to exert themselves still more in furthering I b good work which is being carried on by means our Sunday Schools. Fatal Gvy Accident. —Another of .those accidents tich so frequently take place through the incautious ndlin" of firearms occurred on Monday, January 4 to 9 a young mnivbelonging to Waimea West, tn'ecl Alfred Taylor, who with two companions had ac out rabbit'shooting. The accident occurred ■■ouch Taylor's gun having slipped from the top of ree"stump, where lie had momentarily placed it, 1 the lock catching the corner of the butt, the gun >loded while inclined in the direction'of Taylor, 1 the full' contents entered the right side of 1 is id causing death to ensue before his home could reached. A verdict of " Accidental death" was urneel at the inquest, held on the following day. iceiDEKT. —An accident, fortunately exempt from ions consequences, occurred at the wharf on ednesday lost; a boat belonging to the Amateur, charge of four men, and containing a quantify stores, having been stove alongside the steamer ccbe. The accident was caused by the strong c settin" the boat against the bow of the steamer h such force, that she immediately filled, placing i men in some danger of their lives, although ckly'rescued. The greater part of the contents the boat was considerably damaged. JUBiiiTY of A Lessee. —The lessee of the vernmeut wharf was sued in the Magistrates urt, on Wednesday, for cost and compensation injuries sustained by a. man named James, who, consequence of one of the steps of a gangway the wharf being broken, fell to the beach below ile attempting to descend by it. A judgment inst the lessee of £2 Gs. Bd. for medical attenice, and £9 for compensation was given by the lident Magistrate. fUßlors Drivixg.— On Tuesday, George Rogers i fined Kk and cosf3 for furious drivng. The le person was sued by Mr. M'Arfcney for £3 10a., damages done to his horse and trap in conseHenre of this furious driving and overloading ; but m Magistrate did not entertain the case. ■The Foot Racing Case.—The foot race stakes me, Harlcy v. Portlionse, the holder of the £10 Ikes, iras brought on before Mr. Poynter at an nourned hearing on Wednesday. A number of ■nesses were examined, and the weight of the dence appeared to be in faror of the plaintiff, both to custom, and in contradiction of Lloyd being truck." The evidence also as to referee and ipivcs having been appointed, was overset by the tenient of one of defendant's witnesses The lernl .opinion of the witnesses examined on Wedsday last, was that plaintiff Avon the race, and vhp.fc idling in running was- never considered foul in lson, and was almost impossible to avoid if the mere were equally matched. Mr. Poynter gave Ignient for plaintiff for the ;£IO claimed, and costs ; s latter of which will be about £12. Me. Schroder sued J. Lammas, Richmond, for 0. the price of a horso sent to be shod at enrlant?. While at the Blacksmith's s. op, it s proved that the animal received several severe ks, and died next day. Mr. Newton, Veterinary rgeon, said he found three distinct severe bruises the horse's belly; but he could not swear that sy caused death ;he bad not opened the animal's td, or looked at its brain. Plaintiff non-suited h costs. tfOTUEKA.—The ten-parfcy which is held annually the Motueka school took place on Monday last, in school-room, where about 100 of the children had ■embled on the occasion. Tea, and the usual ac■ipanimenta having been liberally dispensed to the ■pie of the juveniles, a party of adults, to the r.ber>of eighty, were similarly rpgnled. At the eeedincrs which followed, the chair was occupied Dr. Wilson, who, with most appropriate remarks, sen ted to the children the numerous prizes, which c devoted to the encouragement of good conduct . diligence among the scholars. The Rev. Mr. )le, Mr. C. Parker, and Mr. W. Andrews were also ; sent,, and addressed the meeting, or took active , ts m the proceedings. The day was rattier uujrable for the gathering, but the trouble and chuty displayed by the promoters rendered the . Ile affair a complete success. Much praise is due ie Local Committee for the complete manner in ' :h everything appeared to be managed; and the : thtul and happy appearance of the school children , very satisfactorily evident. eie West Coast Times of Wednesday, January \ ~ says :—" We understand that tlio Bank of New : and will send 15,000 ounces of gold to Lyttelton ' !.s. Ihocbe, under shipment for England by the \ >er ship Blue Jacket." : IE Gazette notifies the following appointments : c Waimea West Company of Rifle Volunteers : : ancis James Blundell, to be Captain ; Mr. D. Ps, to be Lieutenant-; George Rutherford, to be '< *n. ' r"B_P« wW«of 19th January declares Wesfcport, : the Bullcr River, a regular Port of Entry, under ■ Customs Acts ; William Sydney Munday, Esq., appointed officer in charge at Wesfcport. What may happen to a man in New Zoaland, says '■ West Coast Times, is beautifully exemplified by b following extract from the Southland Wens, non is wroth at the removal of the one Customs rK lroni the Bluff to Hokitika, and thus specifies \ ailties uiat will consequently devolve on the sublector, it being remembered that fifteen steamers •ive and depart monthly, besides sailing coasters, . ,!1 8« rr 8 • Great Britain and the other colom<: *• °/^ i!l llave duties devolvingiipon him as |«gration Officer, and others under the Customs Efn *? t*> tlle Passengers Act, the Steam Navi--15 Pr f* 9 °ystei' Fißl«ries Act, Marine or Pilots Bludinatr' Ar n9 Act ' Merchant' Shipping Act, oludmg tho conduct of enquiries under the Enquiry 3n Ihl V\ Ct>- Prosec"tions, &c. j and, in addition, B cheeW ! nd°Or WOrk °f bis °mce-h ok-kee Pnri ' v gr ne9) bonds' entering and S° lv ?' f^Pontence, to furnish returns of Z»Ll CCteC fOT duties ' PilotaSe' -Kg** a^ee, kEh ' A™ 8 Act fees' &c- He ™U I*™ ES * ° t' CI00'" duties of :6u^g. measuring tssenS,'? °llSll- g' clieotiT1 S ■<**&, etamininl IS searh l>" gage>f ar? hing diS^ »a others fo? Co bow "S,^ 83618. checking stores, &c. He will KSS 11"^-? atte2lcl at fche bonded' store to E Joodf B>- atld '?• be Pwenf at the reshipmerit of k&C^"Mw^WyOmpatWiod to WercargiU

The Neio Zealand Gazette ■of January ' 11th, contains the announcement that the under-named gentlemen, in this Province, have been' appointed Justices of the Peace" for New Zealand :—John Tinline, Ainri; Henry ". Beitt.; and Wm. M'Rae, Waimea East; Charles Parker and Bernard Macmahon, Motueka; and H. O. Daniel! and Alfred Greenfield, Nelson! * ! ' '■' :

The Gazette announces that the Groverriorhas been pleased to accept the services of the Jfelson Artillery Volunteer Cadet Corps,' and Albert Pitt' is to" be Honorary Captain of that Corpse commission dated 4th December, 1866. John < Williams Wigzell:, is appointed Honorary Gaptiin pf'thei Nelson Cadet Eifle Volunteers ; Eobert; Gribbons, Honorary Lieutenant ; and Henry Lucas, Honorary Ensign,* of the same Corps, oomraissidDS to date from Ist'of January,