Te Awa Kōawa – First Patrol,
June 12, 1863
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Police Gazette – Southern District, June 1863
From the Office of Sir Marmaduke Whitmore, District Commissioner – Southern District
Wanted / Dangerous Persons
- Thomas Butler, alias “The Butler Gang,” male, early 30's, armed and considered violent. Suspected in gold thefts and tent assaults across the Eastern Diggings. Reward £25.
- Mary O’Leary, alias “Red Mary,” female, suspected of aiding the Butler Gang in robberies and assaults. Reward £15.
Major Stolen Property Reports
- Gold dust stolen from Claim #47, Eastern Diggings, 7 June. Public warned to secure claims.
- Firearms unaccounted for: 3 rifles, 2 pistols, last seen at Gorge Creek.
Criminal Intelligence / Notices
- Miners and tent owners are urged to report unusual gatherings of armed persons.
- Recent disturbances indicate the Butler Gang may be attempting to consolidate power in the Gorge region.
- Upper Gorge Armed Constabulary detachment, commanded by Senior Constable Calder, has been dispatched to patrol eastern diggings. Further instructions will follow.
Scenario Seed: Eastern Diggings Confrontation
Minor Antagonists:
- “Tin Teeth” Callahan: Pistol, small knife; boastful, quick-tempered petty thief linked to the Butler Gang
- “Shaky Jack” McCaffrey: Rifle, brass knuckles; nervous, twitchy, encourages trouble
NPC:
- Doc Parker: Feared dentist, New Zealand's Doc Holliday; sharp-tongued, quick on the draw, but a terrible dentist.
Event:
Callahan and McCaffrey confront Doc Parker over a gold tooth dispute, the argument escalating toward violence. When the Upper Gorge detachment arrives to patrol and maintain order a fight breaks out.
Objectives for the Constables:
- Prevent the argument from turning deadly
- Arrest or neutralize the minor gangsters if necessary
- Recover stolen property (gold dust, tools)
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| The diggings. |
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| And Dentist "Doc" Parker relaxes outside his business tent. |
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| Tin Teeth” Callahan, and | “Shaky Jack” McCaffrey appear. |
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| A full on disturbance as Doc's qualifications in dentistry are questioned vigorously. |
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| But the Armed Constabulary appear. Weapons have been drawn. |
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| The Constables get stuck in, pistol barrels and billy clubs. |
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| Tin Teeth is KO'ed. Shaky gives himself up. |
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| But Doc runs for it. He splashes into the panning stream, pursued by Joe. |
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| The Miscreants are lead away. A nice first action for the Detachment. |
Occurrence Book – Upper Gorge Detachment
12 June 1863
Constables Calder, Mercer, and Rangi patrolled eastern diggings.
Argument between local dentist and two known troublemakers (“Tin Teeth” Callahan and “Shaky Jack” McCaffrey) threatened to escalate.
Intervention successful. No casualties. Gold tooth recovered as evidence.
Further monitoring required.
Outcome:
- Reputation for the detachment increased slightly among law-abiding miners
- Minor gold reward secured
- Callahan and McCaffrey sent running — flagged for future attention by Sir Marmaduke Whitmore
After-Game Look Forward
Southern District Police Gazette – 14 June 1863
Recent intelligence suggests that the Butler Gang has regrouped further north, near Kōawa Creek.
Upper Gorge Armed Constabulary detachment is advised to patrol the area.
Reward for capture of Thomas Butler increased to £30; any information on Red Mary O’Leary remains vital.
Citizens are reminded to secure all gold claims and report suspicious individuals.
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