GREAT STICKING-UP CASE AND ROBBERY UNDER ARMS AT WAIKOUAITI

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 86, 1 September 1863, Page 6 (Supplement)

GREAT STICKING-UP CASE AND ROBBERY UNDER ARMS AT WAIKOUAITI

(From the Correspondent of the Daily Times. ) August 19th. — I have just received information from the Hogburn of a sticking -up case on the Maniatoto plains, by a party of five masked men who entered Lows's Hotel or shanty, and rfter having tied the barman, told him to be quiet, as it was their intention not to injure him. They then pulled down the blinds and fastened the doors, but every unfortunate traveller passing that way was admitted, secured, and robbed of what money they possesed, to the value of L35. Finding the party for which they were apparently waiting did not arrive, they "decamped, taking also a mare, with saddle and bridle that was standing near. They are supposed to have been lying in ambush for the bank age its, who were to have passed that way. The villains appear to have used great discretion in taking nothing that could be identified, such as watches cheques, or j wellery, proving themselves a well organised band of robbers. Sergeant Ryau and three others, immediately they were informed, went in pursuit, but were unable to overtake them; they; however, found the mare without, bridle or saddle, at the Maruwoenua Pass. The men are believed to have gone either to the Waitaki or Dunstan. The police will, no doubt, manage to obtain a description of the party, and if they are able to evade the vigilance of the Force it will only tend to prove it is not their first attempt to defeat the ends of justice. lam sorry the above information is, at present, all that I can ascertain on the matter. Nine were robbed, and their names are James Macdonald, robbed of LI 4 ; John Peter, a baker, of L5 10s ; Christopher Woodney, Lls 10s ; David Drysdale, the mare, saddle, &c, referred to; Godfrey Beckan, Wm Lilly. Alex. Price, and Antonio Scartono, and Gaspar Forga were stuck-up but not searched. After entering the shanty one of the robbers said to the other, " don* make a b j mess as it as you did the other night.''