PURSUIT OF MATENGA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1800, 5 July 1906, Page 3

PURSUIT OF MATENGA.

THE MAORI BUSHRANGER

Our Coastal correspondent writes from the police camp, Waitahaia, on June 29th: “Still the pursuit continues after the notorious Maori bushranger, Hare Matenga. The only incident of note since my last report was an old camp found on a Manukq. flat a good way up the Waitahaia river. The remains of the camp show that it was burned down, parts of the burned fly remaining tied to the poles. The' country on the southern side of the Waitahaia has been thoroughly scoured and the camp was shifted to day to the main ridge across the river, where the party are in every hope of ascertaining something definite during the coming week. The country is very rough and the men are having a very trying time, getting wet almost every day. The coming week will be the I hardest as yet, as all the work has got to be done from ,Hying camps, and it I is to be hoped that the weather will be fine.

Concerning the fact of anybody having seen this notorious individual I have since been informed that he called at Pakihiroa station some few months back and got a native woman to cut his hair, which was pretty long. Matenga took every oare that there was nobody about to disturb him when he performed this daring feat.

STOLEN PROPERi'Y FOUND.

TWO RIFLES DISCOVERED.

I V•(Special to Times..)'

Waitahaia, yesterday.

The expedition out in search of the Maori bushranger, Hare Matenga, has been successful in.the finding of important clues that should lead to Hare’s early capture. Constable McLeod and party were successful in finding Matenga's camping ground, there being a clearing of over an acre sown with turnips. Two I rifles were found, one being a Snider with the lock taken out, the rifle that Lwas stolen from the camp of Mr I Farnie, Government surveyor, nearly | five years ago. The other woapon was a pea rifle minus the stock. The pea rifle was stolen only a few weeks ago.

BOUGH EXPERIENCES—A NARROW ESCAPE.

The expedition have had a very rough time, and their fearful experiences led to grave danger to one ■member of the party, Mr Hulme. On Monday night the party were snowed up in the ranges; the cold was very bitter, the men having to keep on the move all the time to keep their blood in circulation. Hulme completely collapsed early on Tuesday; I morning. Hearing a shot fired a relief party set out under Constable Melsopp. I Taking turn about the man was carried lor aoml miles to the camp, On

arrival tho oxliaustod man was far gono, and for a few hours thoro wero foars for his recovery. Tho othor mombors of tho party suffered sovoroly, and all roquiro a fow days’ rost aftor thoir vory trying timo, tho sovoro woathor making tho work of tho expedition much worse than it would ordinarily bo in such rough country. Tho party aro now yory hopeful of offocting tho fugitive’s capture whon noxt thoy sot out.