THE INTRUDER'S COAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1920, Page 11 (Supplement)

THE INTRUDER'S COAT.

STRUGGLE IN A BEDROOM. MAORI ACCUSED OP BREAKING AND ENTERING. Reports have bene current that some one in Wanganui has feeen making a practice of visiting people's homes at nights and causing considerable alarm. Early one morning recently a wanderer is reported to have visited a residence at Gonville, where he was seen at a window where a young lady was shcping, and when the inmates were roused lie beat a hasty retreat. About 1.30 on Sunday morning the residence of Mr. Frederick William Payne, about half a mile above Aromoho Bridge, was entered by a Maori named Rangi Henare, aged about 20, who, unfortunately for himself, left his name and address behind, and this led to his arrest. Apparently Rangi was attracted by a light in the window of a room occupied by Mrs. Payne, who was indisposed. Her nurse had left a candle burning when she retired at about 1 a.m. Later the latter lady was attracted by the noise of a person walking about the house. Getting up to investigate, she noticed that the candle had been blown out, and saw Rangi Henare endeavouring to hide in the bedroom. She immediately called to Mr. Payne for assistance, but before doing so closed the window. Tho Maori grappled with her, but the nurse managed to free herself, and the intruder then jumped over the bed and made good his escape, leaving his coat behind In a pocket was discovered a letter written in Maori to be delivered to a girl at Pipiriki. The accused man, who was employed on one of the river steamers, left for Pipiriki next morning, and on his return to Wanganui was arrested. Wlien placed in a yard with some other Maoris for identification purposes Rangi Henare was immediately picked out by the nurse as the person who was in Mr. Payne's house. Accused was brought before the court charged with breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime, and on the application of tho police was remanded.