A CAMBRIDGE MAN CHASED BY THE AUCKLAND POLICE.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 726, 10 February 1877, Page 3

A CAMBRIDGE MAN CHASED BY THE AUCKLAND POLICE.

Yesterday afternoon information •was received by the Auckland police authorities to the effect that a man named Alfred -Oolville, alias Smith, had stolen a number of bank-notes .at Cambridge, had decamped with his booty, and that a warrant had; been issued for his apprehension. Detective Jeffrey was at once told off to run the game to earth, and, accordingly, began his peregrma-. -tions about town, it haymg been surmised that Colville jiad come here. The search proved fruitless I untill the evening. Shortly after eight o'clock, the detective entered the theatre, and speedily recognised his man, who, seated- beside a woman, was applauding with vigour the acting of Mr Emmet. A quite tap on the shoulder, and a poliet though significant request to step out tothe, street, apprised Colvil.e of the fact that he was discovered. Seeing that resistance on part would be of no avail, he walked to the •door. As soon as the entrance was gained, however, he adroitly doubled oa his companion, and proceeded up

j Victoria street at his utmost speed. ' Though the deteotive had motantieiL pated any manoeuvre of this kind, he gave chase without a moment's » hositation, and ran with such fleet- : ness of foot that on reaching the . Royal Mail Hotel Tie was only a i yard distant from his man. The force of the old axiom, "There's i many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip" was well exemplified at this point, for just as the officer of the law extended his arm and grasped the coat of the fugitive his- foot slipped, and «, moment later he was sprawling on the ground. Though fallen, he did not relinquish his hold of Colville's garment,' who, feeling' this to be the case, commenced dragging his pursuer along the ground. He then cleverly disingaged himself, and ran away along Elliott street, Jeffrey quickly rose to his feet, and sped after Colville; once, more. Just as they reached the back of Mc Arthur and Co's store, the race appeared all Trntoveiy when .the'- servant of justice was again baffled by Colville jumping down .the gully. Favoured by the darkness and the light clay soil, Colville appeared to have successfully eluded his would-be captor. ; Jeffrey, however, was not discouraged, and^ommenced a thorough search. He fancied that the object of his pursuit might have secreted himself among the barrels m the yard of Messrs R. Whitson and Sons' premises, and accordingly this place was thoroughly explored, with the aid of a' number of civilians who had been spectators of the flight and pursuit. As the party was leaving Messrs Whitson's premises, Jeffrey, by the aid eff the lights which the neighbours brought out, saw the wished-for form lurking m a hole, immediately underneath the fence. In the twinkling of an eye Colville was pounced upon. A desperate struggle ensued between the two men. At length, with the welcome ' aid of a few bystanders, Colville was secured, but not before =his : coat had been torn to ribbons. : Even after he was handcuffed, and until the station was reached, the; ' prisoner fought with such fury that •■ the people who witnessed the scuffle cried out that 'he was a man-of-war's man. He will be brought before the; •Bench, at the Police Court, this morning, and probably remanded to the Waikato.— 4 Herald,' Feb. 9.