FIGHT WITH POACHERS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1927, Page 4

FIGHT WITH POACHERS

L'OXDOX. Dec. 21. One ol' the biggest man-imnts ever organised by the police here took place in the early hours oT this morning following a desperate hund-to-hand encounter between armed poachers and police on Lord Louis Alountbatten’s estate, Ad.sdeau, about six miles from Chichester. Shortly before 2 a.in. a gamekeeper heard shots coming from among the trees near the house. Two constables—P.C. Chandler and P.C. Akehurst—joined by gamekeepers, went towards the trees and challenged three men who approached with a gun. A shot was fired and the men attacked the police officers, using thick, heavy sticks, Vigainst which the truncheons of the police were useless. One mail also used the butt end of the gun. At a command from their leader the men ran through the tree into the country, but the officers gave chase and got hold of one of the men. lie was, however, joined by his companions. and P.C. Chandler was struck unconscious to the ground. EMPTY houses searched. The gamekeepers continued the chase, but. lost sight of the men after a chase of about a. mile and a half. Meanwhile servants from the house improvised a stretcher and carried the w-muded constables back to Lord Louis Mountbatten’s house and telephoned police headquarters. Every available constable was called up and. in cars and on bicycles, a hunt for the men took place ill every village and wood within ten miles of the town. Fifty police took part with the Chichester Chief Constable’s bloodhounds, and searched empty houses and inspected till vehicles on tTie move. At S it.m. three men were arrested, one in the village of Hermitage and the others in the village of Emsworth. about seven miles from here. T’nuv will appear before the niagistraes 'at Chichester to-morrow morning. Lord Louis Mounthatten was not in residence at the time. P.C. Chandler is suffering from very severe head wounds, while P.C. Akehurst has his left arm broken and is to undergo an X-rays examination.