DARING HIGHWAY ROBBERY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2464, 14 February 1893, Page 3

DARING HIGHWAY ROBBERY.

Kk\Y Pii.viiOu.xii, i*'el>. 12. A sensation was created in town at a quarter to eleven last night by the sudden appearance of a highwayman. He entered the White Hart Hotel, Derwi Street, opposite the Government Buildings, and presented a revolver at the barman and simultaneously held a pistol close to the head of one of the men wlio, was drinking in the bar. Mo shunted, ''Do not toovo, or I'll iiro/' There were five or six poisons in the bar at the time, and they all left but one. The highwayman wore a mask, and had an officer's uniform and sword. He coolljy opened the in nor door, and too uiteeii shillings which viva «a a ; tray, tlien retwhect dvwu a bottle of whiskey from

tho shelf and deliberately marched out, his sword clanging in the passage as he went. There were eighteen persons in the house at the time. Some in tho billard room heard the noise, but took no notice; the highwayman was in the hotel five minutes. No one followed to see which direction he took. He went out at the front door, and must have walked across the street and mounted his horse, for shortly after he was seen on horseback. When within about one hundred 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 several shot were picked out of a fence where the charge struck. He galloped along Courtney street at a furious pace, and pulled up when he reached Govett street and continued at a walking pace for a time. Two persons state that they met him near Mitchinson's garden and he fired at them. The police, with Inspector Thomson, went in pursuit, but he got safely away. The police kept up the search all night without efl'ecting his capture. There was only one policeman on duty at the time the robbery was committed, and he was at the other end of the town. The police force here is too small for the requirements, and it is highly necessary that 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 whisky.