HUNTLEY. Daring Attempt at Burglary.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1272, 24 August 1880, Page 2

HUNTLEY. Daring Attempt at Burglary.

Thb house of Mr John Sedgman was burglariously entcied during the temporary absence of Mr and Mrs Sedgman, on Thursday night, between the hours of 8 ani 9 o'clock. It appears that Mr and Mrs Sedgman were visiting a neighbor close by (Mr George Srafch). About 9 o'clock the train was approaching, and Mrs Smith fearing for the safety of her cow, «rhich was feeding near the line, went out to call her. After doing so she was about to return, when looking in the direction of Sedgman'shou'-e she saw a man coming out through the window. Mrs Smith immediately gave the alarm, and on proceeding to the house it was found that an attempt had been mado to iorce the bac'< door open with an axe. This however failing, the window was resorted to. The burglar had made an inspection of several work-boxes ; in one of which he found the key of a large box which was in the room, and where he evidently expected to find something. He must have been in the act of rumaging this box when he was disturbed by hearing Mrs Smith calling her cow. This ur invited visita. t accidentally failed in his mission. I say accidentally, for on the top of the box a canvass belt containing £2,0 in gold was lying, but in his hurry to get to the bottom he passed over it, and it was found with other things on the floor, although Mr Sedgman had given it up for lost. A gold watch was hanging up in the room but was not disturbed, the object of the visit being hard cash. As this gentleman was not recognised, and did not leave his card, no trace can be got of him at present. The Ngtiruawahia contributor to the lln-ald stated on Friday last that there wns no truth in the report published iii the Waikato Times, on Thursday the 19th, re the recent murder by Maoris of one of their countrymen. Now, as he could not possibly find out the truth or otherwise of that repoit between the issue of the Timks of Thursday morning and the going to press of the Herald on Thursday evening, I fail to see how he could know anything whatever about it. But if he would like to know and goes to the trouble I did to find out, he will make a more legitimate discovery than he did when he was prospecting the Ngaruawatiia ranges for gold. I would not have reverted to this matter again had it not been for such a barefaced contradiction. I may state that from subsequent enquiries, I have received ample confirmation of the particulars already furnished. — (Own correspondent.)