The Express.
London, England, 1863-12-26 00:00:00

THE BUSHRANGERS 1N NEW SOUTH WALES.

The Sydney Empire of Oct. 21 contains the
follow tog :—" Tee depredations of the bushrangers in the
western interior have formed the principal topic of discoi-
dal during the put month, and their nefarious operation;
are still being carried on. No murder or any crime Of put
enormity has marked their career of late, but their conduct
has been more daring, and their defiance of the police more
reckless and successful than at any former period. They
have on more than one occasion entered various towns in the
western district, and after ' bailing up' and robbing and
frightening the iohabitanta, got clear off. Their demeanour
at these occasions has generally been remarkable for its
civil and even courteous tone towards those whom they
have plundered ; and it is probable that their conduct in
this inspect, and particularly the absence ,of all improper
leavens and behaviour in the presence of females, has
had mush to do with the impunity they have enjoyed.
Most persona, in the abeam of
(amities protection, think it
, better, so long as they and their amities are not personally
Wined or ill-treated, to yield quietly, rather than risk
their lives in opposing their plunderers. Captain Winne,
the inspector-general of police, was despatched by Mr.
Cowper to the sone of the bushrangers' operations some
weeks since. He war not successful in his efforts to
capture the scoundrels, and was recalled to his dean is
Sydney by the new ministry when they came into office.
It is understood that the new cabinet hare determined
to alter the present absurd police regulations sad
equipments, and to substitute others more in accord-
ance (with rummon sense and the actual requirements
of a constabulary force. It is not doubted that even
a very small number of properly chosen and equipped con-
stables would soon clear the country of the intolerable
•Uile.oolll of these bushrangers. There am be so doubt that
the course pursued by the senii•militein police bee not been
such ea to command approval. Unable to cope with the
busbrangere, they have adopted the questionable practice of
taking vengeance on their relatives, in much the same way
that the original occupants of the aoil have been wont to do.
On the 14th ultimo an inspector sad party of police went
to the house occupied by Patrick O'Meally, the father of
the notorious John O'Meally, in the Wadden Mountains,
hoping to find him and others of the gang, who were
said to be occasionally harboured there. But not finding
any of them they ordered the old man, with
the remainder of his family, to go outside the house, and
take with them their furniture, for they were about to fire
to the premises. The threat was despised, and the officer at
once set the place on fire. The premises, with all the
furniture, were consumed. This act, instead of deterring
the bushrangen from further acts of Lawlor violence, ap-
pears to have stimulated them to deeds of pester daring.
On the 19th, three daysdier, the Careoar mad wee stuck up
by three men, supposed to be O'Meelly,',Gilbert, and Vane.
The coachman was ordered to drive two hundred yards into
the bush, to • camp were fatness others were bailed
up, one of whom was • policeman, and there they rifled
the mail bags. After they had detained their prisoners
for two hours, at length they allowed them to
depart, thankful that their lives bad been spared.
On the same day this party bailed up Mr. Beardmore, of
Forbes. Informatioa of thus proceedings having been given
to the police, parties were east in pursuit of the robbers.
Three of the police were so unfortunate (as it after.
wards appeared) u to get upon their track, which they fol•
lowed up until the bushrangers, by one of those dodges to
whin their career of impunity is mainly to be attributed,
eluded their pursuers, until in an unguarded moment the
buthrsiugers Gilbert, O'Meally, Vane, Ben Hall, and ano-
ther, stuck up the three policemen, and took from them their
clothing, ammunition, arms, aid hones. The clothing, how-
ever, with a sort of ineerosity, they retuned, and allowed
them to depart minus their hones and accoutrements,
On the same day, at Walborn, Patsy Daley, Ja011801), and
others their associates, were convicted of highway robbery
with fire-cane. and were sentenced to various periods of im-
prisonment, varying from ten to fifteen years. Two men, •
few days afterwards, attacked the store of Mr. Willing, of li
Burrows, but were repulsed with the loss of on. shot dead
on the spot and another wounded. On the 23rd five armed
men, four of whom were supposed to be O'Meally, Ben
Hall, Vue, and Burke, stuck. up Mr. Hosie's store at
Caloola, and carried off as much of the goods ea they could
pack on their horses ; the remainder of the goods In the
store they destroyed, giving ea their reason fur these acts
that it had come to their kuowledge that Me. Huns had
on • former occasion given information to the police
about them. The next day the same gang stuck up Mr.
John Loudoo's house at Grubbenhoug, near Garner.
They handcuffed all the inmates while they searched the
house for policemen they had been told were there.
Fueling now, they went to prosecute their search else-
where. They odd before leaviug 31r. Loudou's house
that if any more troops were sent from Bathurst they
would capture them and take them in handcuffed to Car-
coar. They do not appear to have shows any great
viodictiveuus here, as there were no policemen foiled on
the prezines. Going about their work systematically,
we buil the (Owns( day (September 26 h) that the
same five notorious bushrangers, Gilbert, Ben Hall,
Burke, Vane, and O'Meally, stock up Mr. Rothery's
house at Limestone Creek, just as that potion:nu was
sitting down to dicier. They handcuffed him, sad ate his
dinner, calling for champagne. After diaper the ladies, as
ordered, played the pianoforte, while two of the rascals
danced, and before leaving tried two or three horse", so as
to select the best. The same night they went over to C 1100•
wiodra, and robbed the stores of Mr. Robinson, taking
away enemy and goods to a considerable amouat.
Doused by the illusive friar of such wending', other
have been allured to • similar course of crime, for at the
same time the hones of • farmer named John Flanagan, of
Good Hope, was robbed by two men. They took • sew
middle and crupper, besides numerous other articles.
Os Thursday, Weber 1, the Cancer mail was stuck up
apis. It was stopped by Burke alone, while, it is sai4
Gilbert, CfMeally, Vasa, and Hall lay macealed. The
sail
rsosels were cut epee. sod the lawny in dm letters ab-
Allllol,llr party is theme's dinned were sot in.

active, for an the same day Messrs. Machattie, junior, erect
Bettye were bailed op at Ooe Eye, near Melenia, and kept
prisoners for two boors end a half. The excitement caused
in &thrust on the 3rd instant was very great whet
It leseame known in that town that the beehrsolt7
bed become so emboldesed as to aster it.
bra went to the shop of Mr. Winne, a watch.
miter, but got no booty. Thy thee Arid a revolver is
the area, and went to Um amp of Mr. De Climate, frost
whom they took 101. in gooey and two watches. The rag.
tale brought with them the horses they had stage from Mr.
flemmyer Machattie and his soh, and left the. NM& the
town. The polios immediately started in permit, but failed
to overtake them. Next day they paid a visit to Mr. Ewe.
let, and took two horses from Mr. Mean.
Os the elai, !Manua was thrown into • state of
excitement on learning that a hemmer' had galloped
into town from the Vale Creek, about a mile sod • half
distant, with intelligence that the bushrangers had made
so attack upon Mrs. Mottos 's house. and had proceeded
in the direction of Mr. Malmo's. Five troopers jumped
into their saddles in pursuit of the bushreagers, but
were usable to catch them. A public meting was 6914
by the inhabitants, and reeolatioos adopted, which were
transmitted to the government, representing the state of
the country. The Colonial Secretory telegraphed in reply
that they were to sompt of any mistime the people were
disposed to give, in order to arrest the maw of that Mad
of robbers. lo the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Piddirgtee
moved the adjournment of the boom, he order to draw from
the government a statesmen of what Mille they intended to
pursue in the ;menet state eI the atesonstances, whoa a loq
and urinated discondos took piece, is the mum of whisk
the Colonial Secretary road several telegprams that had passed
between the government and the lospector-Geeeral of
Police, in which it wet intimated that if the bruhreagers
were not apprehended within one month, steps were to
be taken for the removal of those in command of the
polies force. On the 7th. Mr. Martin moved the ad.
journment of the house with a view of eliciting some ex.
plsostMn respecting the question, submitted by the gover,
meat to the Crown law officers, as to whether the govern.
meet had power to outlaw the bushrangen, cocteediog
that no each power existed. A warm debate ensued, in
the course of which it wan stated the number of bug.
morn causing all the distort:once did not exceed at most
ten persons.
Many other incidents in addition to those mentioned
above have occurred, which it would be tedious to darn.
aisle. A singular and somewhat gratifying feature of the
times is that ooterithstaediog the prevalence of built.
ranging, other crimes are much teem in number then usual.
Never, in the history of the colony, have cattle stealing and
ordinary felonies been so few. And in Sydney and the
other towns. life and property are perhaps es safe as is
any pert of the world.

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.
. -
HOME CIRCUIT.—Kmosrow, DEc. 24.

The court set until late this evening, in the upset'.
Mon that it might be passage to finish the bushes's, sod
thus avoid the necessity of compelling the jury again to give
their attendanas. The trial of the soldier for the mania
of his sweetheart, however, occupied so much time that
this was found to be quite impracticable, and the leaned
itinntefafter having set for more than twelve boars, felt
oompelled to adjourn nail Monday morning.

(Before Baron Pigott.)
THE ATTEMPT TO BURS GODALMING CHURCH.

Arthur Hackman, 26, labourer, was charged with Mr.
bloody sod maliciously attempting to est fire to the parish
chureh of Godahning.
Mr. Itobini.on and Mr. F. Abbott conducted the proem.
Lion. The prisoner was defeoded by Mr. Lilley.
The cane appeared to create a good d*l of local interest,
as although, happily, very little mischief was done, the
general impression appeared to be that but for the timely
discovery of the fire in question the whole edifice would
have been destroyed. It appeared that early on the morning
of the day named in the indictment a light was seen in the
church, and upon an alarm beiog raised it was found that&
quantity of paper had been ignited and thrown into one of
the pews, but the dames wens extinguished before any Ws
chief wee done. Upon as examination being made it was
discovered that some person had mounted upon an ancient
tomb, known as Simmons' tomb, which ia close I.
one of the windows of the church, and that this
window was forced in, and then a quantity of lighted
paper had been thrown into the edifice. The mi.
dance against the prisoner was entirely circumstantial,
and one point relied upon was, that he was aware diet
the borough and the county policemen stationed at Gods!.
ming would be 'bent upon tame particular business about
1 o'clock in the morning, and evidence was given to show
that about that hour the window of the church was broken,
and the attempt to fire the edifice comrritted. There was
also evidence that a portion of the burnt paper that remained
in the church carrespended with some paper that was fowl
in the prisoner's cottage, and that he gave one or two metes.
dietary statements as to bowthe missing portion of the paper
had boom disposed of by him. A variety of other little facts
were also proved, all tending to show that the prisoner must
bare been the godly party.
Mr. Lilley contended, on behalf of the prisoner, that all
the facts that bad been established at most only made out s
on., of suspicion, and the jury returned a verdict of Not
Guety.