MATENGA CAPTURED

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2067, 19 December 1907, Page 2

MATENGA CAPTURED

AX ARDUOUS CHASE. SUNDRY THEFTS ADMITTED. The news was received by Sergeant Williams this evening that Hare Matenga, who lias given a. great deal of trouble to the police authorities engaged in tho effort to arrest him, and who committed a series of thefts extending over a considerable period, lias at last been captured. The particulars are meagre at present. Detective Broberg telephoned to Sergeant Williams, stating that on Monday Constable Skinner, Guide Green, and himself left Tahora to inquire into tho report that a strange Maori had been seen at Rangiora pall. The pursuers travelled through mountainous and bush country, waded the iMotuwera and Haugaroa rivers, and they found traces of recent camps. When Waima pah was reached it was discovered that tile strange Maori had left there oil the 2nd instant, after sojourning there a week. At that pah he left behind a double-bar-relled gun, and proceeded in the direction of Wairoa. The party proceeded until daylight on Tuesday, and visited several pahs. At noon, yesterday they went to Harapepa pah, and saw tho object of their chase. They questioned the man, and lie admitted that lie was Hare Matenga, and that he had committed a number of robberies at Motu, including the theft of the gun which he left at Waima. He also admitted the theft of a silver watch and chain at Motu. The party are quite worn out with the rigors of the chase, and they have earned a well-deserved rest.

The Sergeant instructed Mr. Redstone to send a man with a conveyance out to Tiuiroto to bring the party in. and it is expected that.Gisborne will be readied this afternoon or to-morrow morning.

Hare will be duly charged at the ■Magistrate's Court with the original offence and the subsequent robberies.