ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2451, 27 March 1888, Page 3

ALEXANDRA.

Petty Thefts.—Since the removal of our one policeman our anticipations that in consequence thereof robberies would be frequent, have betn fully borne out within the last few weeks. Mr Finch lost a saddle and bridle on different occasions from his stable. Clothes left out at night are pretty certain to disappear, and last week Mr Finch's saddle-room was entered through the window, and a valuable lady's bridle was taken away. On Tuesday last at about twelve o'clock noon a most barefaced robbery was committed by two natives, who entered Mr Finch's bar, and quietly abstracted the cash box from tho desk on the counter while Mrs Finch was sitting in the bar-parlour not six feet away. Fortunately, it was missed very shortly afterwards, and the two natives (who hud previously seen Mrs Finch ohange a note from it) were at once followed to Whatiwhatihoe,

oue of them losing his hat on the road. On Mr Finch's arrival there, both the natives were busy amongst the cooks preparing food as a welcome to Hoaui Taipua, the Native Member on a visit there. On being charged with the robbery, both denied it strenuously, Mr Finch, however, informing them through Hunry Turner, who had followed them up, that if the wish box and money was not returned it would be reported to the police, so thought better of it and following MiFinch into Alexandra acknowledged to Turner they had the money and would return it if guaranteed to be held harmless. This being granted, the box was fetched from under Asmns's Hotel building where they had planted it, and the stolen money, some £2 15s, was restored. With such a number of natives in our immediate vicinity the temptation to commit crime is strong, knowing they have nothing to fear from the law. As was remarked on the removal of our only policeman, his presence was a strong deterrent to those unlawfully iuclined, and his removal was a great mistake on the part of tho Government. The fact that there are so many strange nativis who visit here makes it more necessary that we should have polino protection, as it is will-known that when natives arc away from their own homes they are far more prone to ft rget the laws of meum and tuum. Visit of Hoani Tah-ua, M.H.R.— Hoani Taipua, M.U.R., has been visiting Tawhiao and his people at Whatiwhatihoe during the last week, and has mads a very favourable impression on them. He was particularly careful in reminding them not to expect too 'much from him, but hoped they would be reasonable in their requests to the Government, when they might be certain of his doing his best to forward their interests in the House. Hoani took his departure on Friday last, accompanied by a number of his Hends and constituents. - * -