A YOUNG HIGHWAYMAN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2231, 7 November 1907, Page 2

A YOUNG HIGHWAYMAN.

SHORT AND MERRY CAREER

press Association. AUCKLAND, Nov. C. William James Crombie, a boy bush-ranger, when before tk Court to-day, pleaded guilty to horse-steal-in, 'and attempted robbery. The young lady at whom lie presented the pistol said she was not frightened. She smacked his face, and be ran away. A Drury settler named Clark related that Crombie presented a gun, and demanded £3O. Cromie fired two shots of blank catridge, and continued to threaten. Clark sent to liis ’house for liis purse, which he handed to Crombie. At the same time he knocked up his gun and downed him, sitting on liis chest. Crombie, under oath, said that lie was 15 years and S months of age; a. native of Auckland, and left school four rears ago, being then in the fourth'standard. Since then he had been working on various farms. He loft bis last employer, Mr. McLeod, of Helensville, with £2 10s in . Ins pocket and came to town. That nbdit he went to see the “Starlight’ pictures, and thought that the idea was a rather good one to follow. He went to a place in Symonds street and bought a revolver and 25 cartridges, explaining to the shopkeeper that the pigs were troublesome Up bis wav; then be took the train again for Helensville. Ho stole tlio horse and equipment and came to town like “Starlight” to sell the horse. His first intention was to travel overland to Wellington and stick up people on the way. In connection with the affair at Mr. Clark's, he fired two shots in the air, and afterwards when Mr. Clark -propped his arm the revolver went olf again. He never had ,i!iv intention of harming anyone, but bust to frighten them. Accused, pleading guilty, was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.