The Taranaki Highwayman.

Manawatu Herald, 5 November 1892, Page 3

The Taranaki Highwayman.

.„. „ ——* — The first ijeitibii stiic'k tip by the Taranaki highwayman the other day was a Mr Carthew, of Fitzroy, who has made a statement to the following effect :—' About 9 o'clock on Saturday night I was riding home from town, and before reaching the H # itui bridge 1 dismounted and wai'ced the horse. On reaching Mrs 8...i ley's I saw a man rifling towards me dressed in a military uniform. He passed a short distance, and then sudden 'y wheeled round ftild Came towards me. holding a revolve? titdae to hiy MkL I felt the cold steel, which " put me out " a bit. He said to ine* " Hand over yovir valuables, or by G — -I'll kill you." I did not (Juite catch all he Said t tHeri put rily hand into my pocket and pulied out my watch 1 . He said, *' Be truthful, and give me ' all you have." I gave him my watch, which is an open faced English lever. I asked him, "Do you want the chain ?" He said, , ".No, yon can keep it." I also handed him over three three-penny pieces, which was all the money I had on me. The highwayman asked me What I Was walking " fdr* and I replied "To get warm." He then rode off and I was following him, when he turned toward me and ordered me to go towards Fitzroy. I then turned and rode to Geo. Colaon's house at Fitzroy and told him what had happened. Colson got his horse and saddled it, and we then started back in pursuit. The highwayman, as far as I could make ont, was wearing a dark coat trimmed with white braid, and dark trousers with white biaid down the side. He had a greyish beard. He rode a small pony.