WAITARA NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 120, 30 August 1910, Page 8

WAITARA NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) For some time past petty thefts from shops and farms have been prevalent, but no clue could be obtained of the culprit until Sunday, when a Maori lad named James Bailey was caught redhanded under the' following circum stances. Mr. S. G. Fraser makes a habit of visiting his store every Sunday to see that all is right, and on' the day mentioned had just 'been in fop a few minutes when he heard the back door tried by some one. Not wishing it to be known that he was there Mr. Fraser kept quiet, the result being thafc another attempt was made to open the door. Without any idea of burglars, Mr. Fraser obtained a ladder and looked through the fanlight, but could see no one. Waiting for a few minutes ! '>ue«r, he heard a key inserted in the front door nd then began to tiii'v sotnt>tli>::g wag v '•<mf>, and lay . * u.ut.l the shop won Abe ent« , --'>_. Failing to effect an entrasr* *'■ ■ yhe office door was tried, but a bolt prevented an entrance. Mr. Fraser then heard retreating footstep* and watched through the window when he saw the youth going towards Messrs. Joll Bros, and entering their back gate. He followed, but on making a search of the outside Bhcrt? could find no one about. 'Feeling tJat the burglar had somehow got into the place he went round the front, and on looking through the window saw a head bobbing behind the counter near the till. Mr. Fraser then moved round to the back agate with a view of cutting off the burglar's retreat and obtaining assistance. He then saw Mr. R. Cunningham and told him the position. Both back and front dooTB were then guarded and a messenger despatched to Constable Lapoup'e. The iback door was burst in and ''•-• whole place ransacked, when the nonstable began to think a mistake had been made, but Mr. Fraser wa» .aaktent, and a further search wa« -.• >ae. At last T>.t culprit whs 3 : «"ovared. He had squeezed hiiuse.i. down between some sacks o f oats and then partially pulled a tor over ■hinrwft. The constable him, and oj. found him in possession ot a, skeleton key, but no money. Evidence as afore was take/ before Messrs. W. F. Jenkins and A. W. Ogle, 7s P., when the lad pleaded guilty, and wii remanded , for sentence to Uia Supreme Court. Bail was allowed, £59 being Wa* the amount. ?">- to i r i hearing of the abov«\ tfce . 3 lad, vao i? only About 14 ""my* of plej ■/«' gniity to *',.>■. m« 4,3 2s <v. from tH sL'Op Or i'*~ ' : AP.'ght of; % 3s 2d froii Wtr. Wickliatts store. lw. cam was djsirdssed cow 1 jonally on the parents refunding th? • ->ney ana eo&ta of the case.

Anu"i£ V. -rss-y rv-,trv tiufts that Vav* *".Ke;' *}'-" •.wntlv •»'<" vhi»" 300 tee» >rf '• • " -oyi from the *h»rt the p-. rt;, uf M». V«. J. Clare: i dialfrom ar*' £ fmm •m« m."p.. : " tpd two smaller * :.i.u> *:■"' <•• ••'.?(» from loathe* »bop» Ipp" ~ great many trom Tikorangl resid aces. morning's frost \twvei rv cons'■ rab.y with potftto*.It is reported ftt*t we -vrill on re no •p«r tb<vi four lawyers hi the pi,. ;"';(«. the firm wh<- li. r w*xy visit us twice a week.