LATE LOCALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 July 1926, Page 4

LATE LOCALS.

Air Dukes will preach in the Presby tori an Church to-morrow, morning and overling Uor Influenza Colds take Woods’ Great. Peppermint Cure.ldvt. ,

BANDIT-SQUIRE. PARIS, April 26

Ronianetti, a Corsican bandit, who for 20 years has. kept,to.the lulls and eluded capture, fell yesterday in an ambuscade laid for him by the local police. He had been twice condemned to death in his absence for murder, but the peasantry had refused to betray him. He was one of the most important personages in Corsica and jised to attend to liis private affairs and visit market? towns whenever he chose. Trio was actually shot down while on his way to visit a wine teller which lie was having built as be had just bought one of tile largest vineyards in Corsica. Every morning he rode down from his hillside refuge to inspect his vineyards. Yesterday police were posted on the roadside. Early in the morning Ronianetti, mounted on a pony and preceded by a mastiff, rode down the road. When the dog barked, warning him of the police, he unslung his carbine arid opened fire.

The police returned his shots, Ronianetti was hit several times, but, throwing liis carbine down, lie pulled out a big Mauser pistol arid carried on the fight until lie fell .from his saddle. When the police came up, they had first to shoot hi* dog. whicliirefused to allow them to approach, arid they then found that the bandit was dead. He had a belt of amriiunition on him and was wearing grey corduroys-and a soft felt liat. " *V Rom.uuetti was one of the most picturesque of the Corsican bandits. Ho was kind to the poor and lie bad a keen sense of honour. When two, of his guards were found guilty of bullying peasants in his name and thievi njr from them, .he gave them summary judgment and shot them out of hand. He also killed two police officials who tried to arrest him and so orders Iliad been given for him. to be shot at sight.