CROSS-COUNTRY PERFORMANCES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2159, 7 April 1908, Page 3

CROSS-COUNTRY PERFORMANCES.

AN EXCITING CHASE. THIEF PURSUED BY INDIGNANT HOUSEHOLDERS. Press Association. AUCKLAND. April G. A particularly daring member of the light-fingered gentry turned his attention to the residence of Mr. C. Moon, of tho Pali road, Mount Roskill, at about 4 p.m. on Saturday. An extraordinary feature of tho ease is that Mr. and Mrs. Moon were at tiie time in the garden at tho back of the house, while the children were in the house itself. As a result of subsequent investigations, it appears that tho cause of all the trouble, after entering the garden, carefully removed his boots, which ho placed undertiie front verandah, then entering the house either by tho front bedroom window or by the back door. Ho made for the bedroom, and commenced the operation of taking into his own charge the more valuable contents of tho apartment. His depredations were rudely interrupted by the entrance of Mrs. Moon, time only permitting of the execution of a strategic movement to cover under the lied. Mrs Moon at once gave the alarm, and as her husband came to her call, the man dashed ITom liis hiding place and made liis exit by tho front door. Tho ensuing race across country was replete with incident. The bootless thief, with Mr. Moon dose at liis heels, jumped a wall and two barbed wire fences, his pursuer bein" also successful in negotiating them. Observing that he was losing ground, the quarry doffed liis coat which Mr. Moon picked up. Ginning a material advantage, the fugitivo led the chase on to the Pah road, but approaching Mr. Warall’s property, cleared a box thorn hedge and set off again across tho fields. Instructed by Mr. Moon a boy on horseback made an effort to block tho man, who, however, was finally successful in gaining the cover of tho scrub near St. John’s College. The Onehunga police, under Sergt. Rogers, were immediately on the scene of tho escape, but although they searched until dusk, could find no trace of the missing naan.. Yesterday Detectives Cox and Skinner, of Auckland, superintended the search, which is also continuing to-day. After the abrupt departure of the thief, tho jewellery, valued at £4O, was found lying loosely under the bed, the intruder having been unable to find the sum of £2O which was in the room. It is' believed that the only articles missing are a Bengal .razor, a flax kit, and 10s in silver.