THE HAMILTON EAST ELOPEMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 807, 18 August 1877, Page 3

THE HAMILTON EAST ELOPEMENT.

Since the * Auckland Star ' has published certain information concerning the above affair, we need have no- further delicacy m referring to the matter, arid the more especially aa on Thursday last the father of tbe young lady caused a warrant to be issued for young Lochinyar, on the charge* l of stealing tbe boat belonging to the Hamilton Highway Board. The facts of the case are simply theie. For some time past, a very respectable tradesman of Hamilton East had been paying bis addresses , to the girl) with her father's approval. She is over sixteen years of age, but under the legal age at which she could nr.arry without her father's oonsent. Latterly, however, another suitor appeared oh the scene, who made no way with the lady, but won the eoDßent of the father. Like a. true woman, however, the heroine of this affair was leal to her troth, and, if she could not go out of the door/ to be married, was determined tq find her way out of the window. On Monday eveuiug last there was a public meeting in.Hamilton East, and the father having been seen Safely ensconced among the audience, a horee was brought to his door, aud the happy pair, without even waiting for his blessing, made a start .Northward, arriving at Tanpiri by half-past five o'olook next morning. N ow, it so happened that the Hamilton Town Board boat was missing that night, but, was found moored m its proper place next day, and, not knowing that horses bad beenlnsed m the elopement, tbe « conclusion was jumped to' that, like Lord Allan'r daughter, tbe bride .elept bad taken the water for ft with her lover. Notice had been sent to the police at Ngaruawahia and Taupiri concerning the missing boat, but when the latter was returned, action was at once suspended; indeed, taking with feloi ious intent, could never have been proved, and it is to the' credit of the Highwy Board to say that they declined to proceed against' the hero of our tale f6r taktng the boat under such circnm* stances. The irate parent started off m hot haste to Ngarutiwahia on finding his daughter had eloped, and taking the train for Auckland, started, m full pursuit expecting to find the fugitive pair m that city. However, 'the best laid sobemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley.' The train, with the father on board stopped at Taupari, and there the fugitives intended to take it also for Auckland. A kinder fate, however, Was watching over them. They had procured their ticket's aod were entering on the platform when a cautious glance thrown a head showed them the father sitting m one of the carriages ; another ;'. moment, but the train was now m motion, and he saw them. Too late however/ The train whirled him on to Mercer, where *«• he i telegraphed back to Hamilton that V^the runnaways were at Taupari, and wnturning' himself laid an' infornmtion gainst O'Connell for stealing the boat. Tne warrant will of course, once issued, have to be served, and though there may be no case will, at least cause the, seper* ation of the lovers, who h*ve, of course, been uuab c to get married, as the father entered a caveat with the .Registrar before leaving Hamilton. •'->■•>'•••' As yet nothing more has been heard of them. Knowing that they were. eeen at Taupari, they have, doubtitgi, escaped to aome other' part of the country. Under the circumstances there are few but think that the wisest thing to have done would have been to h »ye sent, not a constable with a warrant, but a parson with a special license m his pocket after the young couple.