"RUN DOWN."

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4822, 11 September 1894, Page 2

"RUN DOWN."

AMidbythe;:l!/lintfertp!! t A Burglars Dej)oix% For somo timo - past a number of mysterious robberies bavo been going on. in and around Mastcrton, and in spite of every, effort tlio culprits •have succeeded in baffling tlie police. Watclics novo boon set, and suspected persons; shadowed all to no purposcjuntil yesterday, when a clever capture was made, and a nice haul, of stolen property secured, It appears that a man named • Ho'bebtCno'dkßii,

who rents a house at Manaia, lias been, noticed by thopolice hanging about 'the town a good deal of late; and apparently doing but littlo work, Constable Stewart took particular notice of the.man in'tlie neighbourhood of Wong Ycc's shop 'on Saturday evening, and on hearing of the burglary; (reported jn our issue of-yes-terday) it was decided to obtain a search warrant, and mako a raid on his place. Accordingly, yesterday, Sergt. McArdle,' accompanicd'by Constable btcwartpaid a surpriso visit, and the result quite exceeded expectations. On knocking at the door Crocker answered it, and on seeing the Sergeant, coolly asked if that officer wished to see him. "I db, Crocker," replied tho Sergeant, " and! have an unpleasant duty to perform. To be brief, I havo come to search your house I" " Indeed," said Crocker, •' well kindly let mo see , ■■.YpUB-WABBAirr." i Tho warrant was produced, 'and read, and no\ further .objection, being raised, the officers of the law entered. Tho first tiling noticed was six Austrian bent-wood 'chairs, stolen somo weeks' ago from tho residenco of Mr J. C. Walker on tho Opaki, and also a silver cruet, the property of the same gentleman. It 'might be mentioned that a couple of hams were hanging to the coiling, and tins of fish,'jam, sardines, and other toothsomp delicacies wero scattered carelessly about, whilotlie table was graced by a roast fwl, somo salmon, and the necessary accompaniments for a good

SQUARE MEAL ■ : . ■ "Do you wish to go into tko bedroom Sergeant," said Crocker, "My wifo is not well aud she is in bed.' "Very sorry," roturned tho. Sergeant, "but duty demands it, and while- regretting to cause inconvcnicnco to a lady, I can't leave without looking round that room. 1 ' " Very veil" replied tlio man, "I will ask hor. to-dross, if you will bo good cuough,to wait a momeat," Tho policemen waited, and soon a woman—apparently-, suffering from tho effects of drink—camo' out. Sergeant McArdlc then went into the room, and found bottles of wine, spirits, AHD OTHER LIQUORS

on all sides, A further search revealed : two silver : napkin rings belonging to Mr J. C. -Walker, and tho practised oyoof-the Sergeant soon saw ovidences of a big " plant." A littlo hole in tho paper on the wall near the ceiling first attracted attention, and with tho help of Crocker -who remarked with perfect monchalence "that he supposed he was in for it,"—astooland a box enabled Constable Stewart to climb up high enough to put his hand in tho holo. t Tho result was the bringing to light of numerous , SILVER spooks, }. ■..•'. forks, and other, articles bearing a monogram, which settled all doubt as to where tho things had come from. The rest is soon told. A loose board behind tho bed caused a search to bo made in that quarter, and it was found that the dpaco between the .'weatherboards and tho inside lining had been converted into agcncral store-house, from which the limb of tho law rapidly drew forth a miscellaneous assortment of this of jam, packets of tea, bottles of wine, vinegar, pickles, cigars, cigarettes, soap, caudles, matches, and in fact ; ■ '..-. A LITTLE OF EVEBVrmsO! Wong Ice, who was.present to claim his belongings, was rubbing his hands gleefully, aud apparently from the many chuckle's aud "Hi la's" he gave expression to, enjoyed the business immensely. A still further search discovered many other things, aiid in duo course the whole concern—not forgetting Mr Crocker—wore carted to the. Masterton lock-up. During the time the police were engaged in unearthing tho stolen goods, Crockor

CALMLY LOOKED ON, . and made not tlio slightest objection to the proceedings, except to remark" that the Sergeant had spoilt Ms dinner." Be thissoornot.llioman'sdriukiiigcapahilitics remained uninjured, for ho polished oft airhole bottlo of lvliisky wjth the accompaniment of a quart of milk, whilo tho police ivcro in the house. We must not forget to add that no no less than • JOTY-FOOE KEYS, flf pyory coijceiyablepattenii'ffcre found about tho house, and other "tools," including augers, bits, wronches, • and a fine assortment of "jemmies." Kobcrt Orocker is ■ a slight-built dark mau, who gives his age as 38 years, but ho looks younger. He is supposed to be a native of Nelson and states that he has, until recently, resided at Christeliureh following the occupation of a horse trainer, and tliaf he has a wife and seven children. Ho has been resident in Mastcrton for about six months, Mr J. 0, Walker to whom a large portion of the stolen property belongs, is at present absent from the Colony, and his house is iu cliargobf a caretaker.' THIB MOBKINO.

Sergeant McArdlo mado a further search of the now famous houso at tho Mnnaia, and brought to light a special line of onions-recognised by KowKcc as his property—moro groc cries, and general sundries. Crocker was brought before Mr W. Lowes J.P., at cloven o'clock, and charged with the burglary which took placelast Saturday evening at Wong Yeo's. On application of the police, the accused was rcniahdod to Wellington until the 19th instant. The Court with crowded with all sorts and conditions of men, anxious to catch a glimpsoof the caged bird.