BUSHRANGING IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume 3, Issue 189, 27 June 1874, Page 2

BUSHRANGING IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

(From the S.M. Herald.)

at Aaron’s Pass by two armed bushrangers, very carefully disguised with doth and canvas. Six or sevon pounds in all were taken and seven mail bags. The mail coach left ' Mudgeo at moo o’clock on Friday morn ng, having • mails and the following passencen for WallerawnngDr Manning and Dr Taylor, returning from an enquiry into the mental conditkm of tfam prisoner Breen;, under sentence of - death for murder at Mudgee; Dr McCarthy, a gentleman in delicate health; a Miss Power, and Mr Bowne. At the top of a steep ascent, known as Aaron's pass there is a slight curve in the ro|d. and t>n an elevated platform lit thij side of the rend, and screened by Some ! sprub, the paSSeb- ■ gen on tb; bor #ere suddenly started by being called upor* to Bail up,” and seeing two figures kneeling.pointing revolvers to cover the edaepman. Throe, figures startled the passengers by the Hideous Aspect presented by their disguise They were covered in a canvas garb, which conceded the head a& fn a hood or bag, and in one of which two small eye- holea appeared. A red piece of doth or calico was also upon the bead of one of the figures. The canvas garment fell over the entire figure, and even the hands of each were scrupulously concealed. Their aspect waa trimly alarming and repulsive, and calculated to stsike tertor into the helarta of the passengers thus abruptly arretted. On stopping the coach one uf the ruffians, still kneeling on the right knee, in a deep but evidently disguised voice, said, u Bail op all, and deliver the mail bags.” Ihe boot under the box-seat was immediately opened, and the driver, assisted by Dr Taylor and Miss Power, com* menced throwing out the mails. The same voice then ordered all the paadangers to dismount and come round the coach, which was quickly doom The figures still knelt and covered the passengers with their revolvers, their hands being invisible, the left in each ease supporting the right to steady the murderous weapon. The passengers were all ordered to put down all their money oil the derated land, which all did. On laying down hie money. Dr Taylor said tie hoped that no injury, would be offered to the lady who: was ill and alone; and as- the lady caum forward to. put down her purse, the same speaker declared that the lady should out be robbed nor hurt Wat dies were offered by several, but declined, and all the passengers, having relieved their pockets* were allowed k> return to the coach ; and, - upon the driver asking if they wanted anything more, the speaker replied that ‘ he had better drive on as hard as he could, or else he would get hie bead blown, off in a minute.’ It is not known whether the mail contained anything particular on ftw 'occasion to recommend it for attack. The money left fey the passengers did ndt certainly reach £lO. On rnarhing Brown's at Cunningham's Creek, information was immediately forwarded to the police at Ilford, ana then—a an gers met senior Constable O’Brien and Constable Faiir setting out in pursuit. It is to be hoped that those who have interested ih the eontemplated release of Gardiner and often Upon the plea that bush ranging has been stamped out of the criminal annals of the Colony will read this plain un varnished statement furnished by one himself who M the honor of standing but a few boon ago for n terrible period of five minntee covered by the murderous weapons of t#e ruffians wbo would probably have taken life as cheerfully as they took money and mails.