Burglars and Sharpers

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 99, 30 January 1886, Page 2

Burglars and Sharpers

♦ "We learn from our "Wellington exchanges that several drafts of unemployed thieves and vagrants from the sister colonies have arrived in, or are on their way to New Zealand. The first batch which landed in Wellington, found their way to the Foxton Races where they had a good time. On their return to Wellington the police shadowed them so closely that the poor fellows had few opportunities of doing good business. They went to the Wairarapa to obtain some legitmate sport, out were so much interfered with, in a quiet way, that they had to pack up their lares and penates and decamp from thence after a very unprofitable tour. We next learn that these waifs and strays have been passed on to Hokitika and the other townships on the West Coast diggings, where they doubtless hope better fortune will await than in the North Island.. At one time in the history of Westland, they would have been welcomed to that spot by many trusty friends and probable coadjutors. But "alas! for the vanity of human wishes," that time has passed away and the murderer and the highwayman have gone to that bourne from whence that class of settler is, as a rule not allowed t« return, and their place knows them no more. They will find in Hokitika, that although the alert and astute Detective Brown no longer acts as a moral restraint on the wicked in that city, yet there are others who have sat at the feet of that "Gamaliel among policemen" and learned wile and wisdom from his lips quite sufficiently to overcome the foolish cunning of such new chums as i they have shown themselves to be. j But it is not with the members of the criminal class who have gone away that we have anything to do. We wish to warn our readers of those who arrive modestly in the colony without their being heralded by Eeuter. English niagsmen, and members of the swellmob can easily take a run out here by direct steamer when they have made the Old Country too hot for them, that they may enjoy well earned and safe repose for a few mouths, " gathering flowers by the way" well knowing that the ravishment will not be laid at their doors, but at those of the clumsy j rogues who advertised themselves, j "not wisely but too well." Ourj readers will be wise in time we hope, I and look well to their " locks, bolts, j and bars" in order to protect " their i jewels and their gold" from midnight prowlers, remembering also that " the dim religious light" of a farthing candle, with the presence of a little | dog, are far better protection than a triple ironclad patent shutter, against : the ordinary burglar or thief. The skilful robber has, as a general thing, very nerves, consequently the least thing disturbs him, and like the shark, is very easily frightened from his prey. We have no doubt our local guardian of the peace will " act well his part" and "move on" all suspicious characters, but even a weasel may be caught asleep, and it is the duty of every one to be on the alert for the protection of not only his own house but his neighbour's.