"HAMS UP!"

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 162, 9 July 1903, Page 4

"HAMS UP!"

AYONDALE BLACKSMITH'S "\ ; ADVENTURE.

, A couple of bad characters attempted to carry out a highway, robber/ in conventional style last Tuesday evening at a lonely spot oh the road mid-way between Hobsonville and Avondale. Mi' George Downing, who has carried on a blacksmith's business at Avondale for many years, commenced a branch at Hobsonville several months ago. « He was in the habit of making regular visits to Hobsonville, . returning alorie on his pony in the evening. It probably oceurerd to the would-be-highwaymen that he would collect accounts in Hobsonville and take the money home to Avondale, and this was the case on Tuesday night, when Mr Downing had several pounds in his-possession. When he had passed the black bridge near the camp known a 9 "Dan Buck's," a man rushed into the road from behind a ti-tree, shouting "Hands up!" Mr Downing did not put his hands up, but the pony was smartly pulled up and the highwayman failed to secure its head. The animal shied and galloped in the direction of Hobsonville. Mr Downing saw another man lurking in the bush, and thought it wise to continue his retreat to the township. Here he secured an escort and safely reached Avondale the same evening. He escaped without injury or loss, but steps should be taken to clear the district of charaoters capable of waylaying residents in this disconcerting manner.