THE MISSING "HABITUAL."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 254, 20 October 1908, Page 2

THE MISSING "HABITUAL."

A DANCEKOUS CIUMiNAL. McNeill, kemanled to Wellington. iiy Telegraph.-—Press Association. Invereargill, Last Night. Archibald John McNeill, who was aircsted under arms at Woodend ye stirday, was remanded this morning to appear at Wellington, on a charge of fa'se pretences, and he left by the second express to-day under escort of two constables. McNeill was the Jirst man conlined in the habitual criminal wing of New Plymouth gaol, where he spe:it

eight lonely months, and pleaded that the solitude was preying on his mind. As reported early last month, he was allowed out on probation on condition that he reported to the police once a month. The facts of his disappearance were reported ill a Press Association, message from New Plymouth on 7th September. Since then lie is alleged to have been guilty of false pretences at Christehurch, where he is alleged to have wrongfully obtained (money from Mrs. Edmonds. Since hi s arrest yesterday it has come to be pretty generally believed that McNeill, had he had an opportunity, would have used his revolver, it is staled thai when hiding in the scrub around about the Bluff, lie used to be concealed with his revolver in his hand, a stout club being tied to Lis other wrist, and it is said that while hidden he more than once saw pursue.es' passing close by. Once before, while going a train journey in custody, McNeill managed to "lay out" his escort, and escaped temporarily, and he now boasts that he will get away yet. His behaviour in Court this morning wiis suggestive of playing to the gallery.

Says yesterday's Wellington Times:— "A tale told in a plausible manner has hundreds of times 'taught' the tuost shrewd of men. Archibald John McNeill, alias Cameron, is an adopt at 'taking down' .people with a story when he is

at liberty. This man is an inveterate • criminal, anil in August of last year jiu! received an indeterminate sentence at Wellington, and was sent to Neiv Plymouth gaol, which is set apart for the reception of that class of prisoner. Recently McNeil was let out on s ome sort of parole on a Bell Block farm, and calmly walked away from there. There Was no supervision of him, and it was not to be expected, except by ollieialdoin, that such a man would be content chopping down trees in the wilderness 'when he could make a. descent upon some city in the quest of victim?. /McNeill has a 'liobby' representing himself as a sea captain, lie reached >\\ ellington a few weeks ago and forthwith started his old games. He called into Carroll's tea rooms on the quay and had an interview with ill'. Edmund Carroll. Mr. Carroll, who has a brother in SouLh Africa, fell a victim to the wily rascal. McNeill made a 'good fellow' of himself, ami stated that he was Captain Holmes, of the s tcainer Mata■tun. He had in South Africa met Mr. Carroll's brother, who had given him some line parrots to take to kis brother in New Zealand. This story seemed plausible, and Mr. Carroll accepted an invitation from the 'captain' to dine 0:1 board. They set out, and McNeill suddenly discovered that he had left his money 'in his other clothes,' and requested the loan of a 'tenner.' Mr. Carroll obliged the man to the extent of .Co. McNeill will he charged with obtaining the money under false pretence. The. police received information last jiiglit that McNeill has been arrested at invercargill.