WAS IT M’NEIL?

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 450, 6 February 1909, Page 3

WAS IT M’NEIL?

On Wednesday last a man answering the description of M'Neil, the wandering gaol bird, called at the residence of Mr Mace Noble, Taikorea. Mrs Noble was alone in the house. He informed Mrs Noble that he was a Government surveyor, and that her husband would have to shift his boundary fence half-a-chain back as it was not in proper alignment. He then asked for a cup of tea. The tea was too hot, so he asked for milk, but as Mrs Noble had run short of this liquor he said water would do. He then cut across to Mr Murphy’s property, about two miles further on. Shortly after the supposed convict had left, Mr J. H. Walton, rabbit inpector, happened along, and was informed of the visit. Mr Walton had his suspicions that the man was M’Neil but he did not mention the fact to Mrs Noble, Mr Walton then proceeded to Mr Murphy’s homestead and was kqormed that the “visitor ” had called there and told Mr Murphy that he was a Government surveyor and that his party were surveying Messrs Robinson Bros, estate. He asked Mr Murphy if he would kindly drive him to the top of the Tikorea Road, past which the Sandon tram runs. Mr Murphy was only too pleased to give the “official” a lift and conveyed him to the corner of the Taikorea Road. At this spot supposed M’Neil said he would walk to the camp from there. Mr Murphy noticed, however, that the “ surveyor ” walked in the opposite direction from the supposed surveyor’s camp. Mr Walton’s suspicious now being thoroughly aroused, he communicated with the Foxton police. M’Neil is still at large.