THE TARANAKI HIGHWAYMAN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4343, 13 February 1893, Page 3

THE TARANAKI HIGHWAYMAN.

His Latest and Most Daring Outrage. [By Telegraph.—Preßa Association.] Njw Plymouth, February 12, A sonsation was croated in town at a quarter to 11 last night by the sudden appearance of Hie highwayman, He entered the White Hart Hotel in Devon 1 stroot oppoaito the Government Buildings, and presented a revolver at the barman, and simultaneously held a pistol oluse to the head of one of tho men whn waa drinking in thenar. Ho shouted " Do not move or I'll firo." Tbore wore five or six persons in the bar at the time, wd % all left but on?, Th« highway..

manworoamask, and had an officers uniform and sword. He coolly opened the inner bar door and took 16s which was on a tray, then reached down ut bottle of whisky from a. shelf, and deliberately inarched out, his sword elans;, ing in the passage as ho wont, There wore 18 parsons in tho houso at the time. Somo in the billiard room heard the noise, but took no notice. Tho highwayman was m the hotel fivo minutes. No one followed to see which direction ho took. Ho wont out of 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 100 yards ol the police station ho fired » pistol, probably to deter persons from pursuing him. He, however, let liis pistol fall, and it was picked up this morning, It had been loaded with small shot, aud several shot wero picked out of the for.ee whoro tho charge struck, He galloped along Courtney-St at a furious paco, and pulled up when he reached Govern stroot, and continued at a walking paco for time, Two persons state that they met him near Mitchiuson'a gardens, and ho fired at them. Tho police, with Inspector Thompson, went in pursuit, but the highwayman got safely away, Tho police kept up the search all night without effecting his capture Thorn was only one policeman on duly at the time the robbery wai committed, and ho was at tho other end of the town. The police fores here is too buwll for tho requirements of tho place, and it is absolutely necessary it should be increased. Tho highwayman has invariably made his appearance on Saturday night, but this has bcrn his must daring foat. The polico expect to trace him. They have found the bottlo of whisky.

A sharp shock of earthquake, proceeded by a rather loud rumbling sound was felt in Greytnwnyosterday (Sunday) morning at Ovo minutes past eight o'clock.