THIEF IN COUNTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 259, 2 November 1933, Page 10

THIEF IN COUNTRY.

VISIT TO FARMHOUSES,

(From Our Own Correspondent.) PAEROA, Wednesday. Last Thursday a meat safe on the farm of Mr. A. Sharpies, near Patetonga, was robbed of all its contents, arid on Saturday afternoon, during the absence of the manager, the dwelling, on the Patetonga farm of the late Mr; W--G. Hayward was ransacked. A quantity of clothing, a gun and some cartridges and all the foodstuffs available were stolen. Other incidents of a like nature have occurred over the hills, and it appears that the man is a quick mover who calls at -isolated farmhouses on the plea that he is looking for work. After spying out the land he disappears, and when the house is empty, while the occupants are milking, he ransacks it. It is recalled that soriie time ago similar thefts were reported from the Komata and Marototo Valleys, then from Rotokohu and from Morrinsville, Matamata and many King Country districts. More recently reports of thefts came from Taniwlia, which is just over the hills from Patetonga. It is believed that the same, man is responsible for all the thefts, and that he has returned over tlx© liilis to Te Hoe.