"PLAYING TO THE GALLERY."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3022, 20 October 1908, Page 5

"PLAYING TO THE GALLERY."

A CHARGE OF FALSE PRETENCES. BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. JNVERCARGILL, October 19. Archibald John McNeill, who was arrested under arms at Woodend yesterday, was remanded this morning to appear at Wellington on a charge of false pretences, and he left by the second express to-day under the escort of two constables. McNeill was the first man confined in the habitual criminal wing of the New Plymouth gaol, where he spent 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 himself to the police once a month. The facts of his disappearance were reported in a Press Association message from New Plymouth on September 7th. Since then he is alleged to. have been guilty of false pretences at Christchurch, where he is alleged to 'have wrongly obtained money from Mrs Edmonds. Since his arrest yesterday it has come to be pretty generally believed that McNeill, had lie had an opportunity, would haveused his revolver. It is stated that when hiding in the scrub round about the Bluff he used to be concealed with his revolver in one hand and a stout club tied to his othor wrist. It is said that while so hidden he more than once saw his pursuers passing close by. Once bafore, while going a train journey in custody, McNeill managed to "lav out" his escort, and escaped temporarily, and he now boasts that he will get away yet. His behaviour in Court this morning was suggestive of "playing to the gallery."