THE HAIR THIEF

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2148, 14 May 1914, Page 6

THE HAIR THIEF

OPERATES IN CROWDED STREET ,'A VICTIM INTERVIEWED Paragraphs hnvo appeared recently drawing attention to tho fact that some clever, hair thieves are- operating in Wellington. : It is known that at least four young ladies- , havo been deprived of their ''pigtails" during'the past week or so,, two as lato'as last Saturday, ovennigV.'.Xhis crime—for it is a serious crime—though new to Wellington and the ■Dominion, is not so raro in America, England, and on the Continent, , where there is said to be a limitless de■niatui for real hair for the ■ manufacture of '■ the- many and various coiffures devised by Daino Fashion m Paris, New York, and London. The prico of real hair varies according to its tint and texture. Real golden hair of fine flossy texture is high-priced on account of its rarity. It has a gleam, and catches the glancing light as no dyed hair can. Some tints of light-brown are much,prized, but the. darker shades arc hardly so much in demand at present, owing to the foibles of fashion. When tho Chinese revolutionaries threw over the monarchy four years ago an order was issued to all Chinamen to cut off their pigtails as a tangible sign of their relief from' the thraldom of the Manclni dynasty. _ The- fact is mentioned, as on that occasion tons- of pigtails were purchased by the representatives of hair firms, and shippod west for the .elaboration of 'tli'p thin-haired of Europe. Milch of the hair is used in wig-making, 'and there is always a steady demand for wigs and hirsute appondages for use by actors and actresses en the stage.." .". ' A Dominion representative interviewed a young lady last evening who had been despoiled of a very lon°- and beautiful twist of dark brown .liair. Sho is naturally, vory'annoyed at losing that which is always, more or less, "a woman's pride," but she is taking quitp a philosophical view of her loss, and is inclined to take a humorous ■view of the business, which is probably - more than the Magistrate will if the thief is apprehended.. "For the lifo of me I couldn't tell you , exactly when or whore I lost my hair. I didn't feel anything at all. Vie. that is, a friend and myself, were walking along Manners Street in .the crowd between 8 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. i\e turned into Cuba Street, and'when opposite To Aro House, my friend snid: 'Oh, someone's cut your hair off!' I laughed, and said it was nonsense, but I found it was only-too true." How were you wearing your,hair? "In abig twist—not a plait—a long loose twist_ that reached down past my waist. • Whoever it' was—of course, ■ I haven't' any. notion who it was. : man or woman—did not take it all. It still Teaches "down past my shoulders, but the piece they cut off must have been over twelve inches in length. It was that think, too! I'm sure thev would have had to make two cuts at it to get it away." . •Had you ever thought that you'might' lose vour hair?, ... ■ "Well, it is.funny, in a, way. I'went lip to the Napier Comnetitio'iis h. week nr'-'twn.'a'so,' and' while there I rend in a Wellington - paner that a cirl's hair had been cut off. J was so interested in such an out-of-the-way occurrence that I wrote down to Wellington to find out who tlio girl was. And then for me to bo tTio one to suffer! Cnrious, wasnjt it? An'vhon", I hooc it will be a warninc to ethers to tuck up tlfeir hair when they go out at night."