SENSATIONAL AFFAIR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1662, 31 January 1906, Page 2

SENSATIONAL AFFAIR.

ALLEGED ROBBERY OF CHINAMEN.

A DAYLIGHT DEED.

FOUR MEN UNDER ARREST,

b A senea'ional affair ocourred yesterday 5 afternoon in the vioinity of tho corner of c Aberdeen road and Disraeli-street, near the Becreation ground, Two inoffensive ( Chinese gardeners were following their ' occupation on a plot of land in this locality, ’ and yesterday between one and two p.m. they received an unwelcome visit from fonr meD, who certainly had no excuse for i going there. It is alleged that two men went into the hut while another, possessfng a large knife, stood at the door. The two men ineido tormented the ChinmeD, while the fourth man went to the outside door of tho second room, broke the string by which the door was fed, and went on afossioldng expedition. Tbo.eearoh resu’tsd in his dis oovery of a pocket bandkerohief containing about £33, £2l of whioh was in notes (including a looner), and the balance In sovereigns. What exactly occurred-is not altogether clear owing to tho difficulty of understanding the narratives of the excited Chinamen, but the latter becoming aware that their hoard, of wea'tb had been discovered made a big fight for their propoity, a very lively ecrimmege ensuing. The four men then made off, two going towards town, and the other two in the opposite direotioD. The Chinamen followed up the two men they believed to have the money, and tho neighborhood was aioaeed by tbeir exoited doings. A ! lady rang up tho police, and Constables Dell and O'Hara made haste to the locality- On their way they passed two mm about whose appearance they con- f versed in the belief that these men might ( shortly be ‘‘wanted.” In the meantime it , is stated that tho two men who bad, or , were suppesed to have had, tho China- t men’s money, returned to tho hut and left the money in the room, and again made off, the Chioamoo, thinking they still had v the money, keeping in close touch, and ~

one receiving rather severe punishment as the result of bis scouting. Constables Doll and O’Hara soon captured these two men, and hid them safely under arrest. Tho other two made good use of the time

ot their disposal, and going to the Record Reiga rang up for a cab, in which ihey were driven to the Turaoganui Hotel. The police force turned oot in pursuit, and the town was soon scoured for the two men. About 4 o’clock Cons'.ables Dell and O’Hara, with the advantagegained through taking stook of the two men who had passed them, were able to lay hands on them. The men will be brought before

the Magistrate at the Court this morning. Tbeir names are : John Stevens, Thomas O’Connor, Andrew McKeown, and George Heywood. The police deserve commendI ation for the smartness of tbeir work in arresting the alleged oulprits. The money removed was in the pocket of a coat haDgirg up. Several civilians took a hand in " shophordiDg " the two men first captured. One man bad a sovereign in his possession when arrested,

A ridiculous report was circulaled in town in the afternoon that a Chinaman had been murdered.