BUSHRANGING EXTRAORDINARY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1682, 5 November 1861, Page 5

BUSHRANGING EXTRAORDINARY.

sixteen men stuck up. A case of Bushranging occured on Friday last a short distance from Dunedin, which has certaiuly had no parallel before in New Zealand. Mingled with the ordinary rufTuurism of such proceedings, there was a systematic mode of conducting it, and yet, withal a certain halo of romance thrown over it, that but for the serious nature of such offences, one could scarcely fail to be amused at it. Six men, masked and disguised, throughout the whole of oue day " stuck up " such of the passers by us they thought seemed to have money on them, and curried them to an enclosure in the bush close by, where they tied them separately. Sixteen victims were thus in all collected, and certainly they must have presented a ludicrous appearance. *• The spot was on the West Taeiri road, near Fulton's Station. Some of the gang were stationed on a neighbouring height that commanded a view of the road for several miles, a kind of flagstaff was employed, aud signals made to the confede-

j rates below. A3 each person came up, pistols were presented, and under their persuasive influence, the victim quietly marched to the enclosure and submitted I to the tying up process. The fiist was brought in at nine o'clock in the morning, the lust between six and seven. During the day the stickers-up were very friendly and communicative. Sticking-up they said was a very easy and remunerative pursuit Four of their number were stationed on the other road. They next meant to have a "shy "at the escort, which would prove au easy matter, as there were only six men with it. They hoped Mr. Brannigan would be one of the number. They tried also a little badinage, told their guests or prisoners never to travel again without revolvers, and added, that _t last they would have something to. write home to their friends about 1 They also distributed grog. The amount taken in all must have been considerable. Amongst tho various items were £185 iv money, a horse, and several watches. They took their departure as soon as it was dark, two ou horseback, and the remainder ou foot. They promised to send and release the prißouers at 10 o'clock, and threaten dire vengeance if they did not await their return. As soon as they were gone, oho of the captives mauaged to liberate himself and comrades, and information wa* giveu to the nearest Magistrate, Mr. Fulton. Every exertion has siuce been made by Mr. Commissioner Brannigan, and the force under him, to trace out the offendeis It is much to be feared they took their departure by the City of Hobart, which left early th© day after the affair. The identity of some of the party is suspected. Several other depredations have tuken place in the neighbourhood.