The New Plymouth Highwayman.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7067, 13 February 1893, Page 3

The New Plymouth Highwayman.

o (BY rsiEGRAPB.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Fbb. 12. A sensation was creaf ed in town at a quarter lo 11 o’clock last night, by the sudden appear ance of “ the highwayman.” He entered the Wbite Hart Hotel in Devon street, opposite the Government buildings, and presented a revolver at the barman, and simultaneously held a pistol close to the head of one men who were drinking in the bar, He shouted *' Do not move or 111 fire.” There were five or six persons in the bar at the time and they all left but one. The highwayman were a mask, and had on an officer's uniform and a sword. He coolly openeithe inner bar L door and took Iss which was on a tray. He

then took a bottle of whiskey from a Shelf and deliberately marched out, bio eword clanging in the passage as he went. There were eighteen persona in tbe house at the time. Some who were in the bliliard-room heard the noise, but took no notioe of it. The higwayman waa in the hotel for five minutes. No one followed to see which direction he took. He went out of tbe front door, and must have walked across the street and mounted his horse, for shortly afterwards he was seen on horseback. When within about a 100 yards of the police station he fired a pistol, probably to deter persons from pursuing him. He, however, let his pistol fall, and it was picked, up this morning. It had been loaded with small shot and fevsral shot were picked out of the fence where the charge had srtock. He galloped along Courtney street at a furious pace, and pulled up when be reached Gover street uud continued at a walking pace for a time. Two persons state that they met him near Mitchi?>eon’s Garden, and that he fired at them. The police with Inspector Thomson went in pursuit, but the highway man got safely awi-y. The police kept up the search all night without effecting his capture There was only one policeman on duty at the time when the robbery waa committed. He was at the other end of the town. The police force hero ia too small for the requirements of the place, and it is highly necessary it should be increased. The highwayman has invariably made his appearance on Saturday nights, but this is his most daring feat, 'the police expect to trace him. They have found the bottle of whiskey.