CHASE ENDS IN BUSH

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 92, 19 April 1945, Page 6

CHASE ENDS IN BUSH

ARREST OF MAORI YOUTHS CAR CONVERSION CHARGES O.C: ■ WANGANUI, this day. A cold all-night vigil by five Hunterville settlers ended at dawn on Sunday in the apprehension of three Maori youths who were being sought ' for the alleged conversion of a number of cars between Levin and Hunterville. The youths spent a comparatively comfortable night beside a fire in the bush. After one car had been abandoned at Hunterville on "Saturday afternoon another, the property of Mr. H. Nation, was taken at Otairi. Knowing that there was little petrol in the tank, Mr. Nation communicated with several other settlers and the Hunterville pplice, with some neighbours, set off up: the Turakina Valley in another car and found Mr. Nation's car abandoned. They continued on foot and eventually observed three Maoris sitting around a fire. As it was then dark the party decided to send one of. their number back to telephone the Taihape police, while others picqueted the camp without disclosing themselves, this being done to prevent the fugitives from escaping in the darkness. The three youths, who escaped from the Weraroa training farm, Levin, were taken to •Palmerston North and will be charged with the conversion of several cars. The Palmerston North police stated that the first incidents reported -Were the ransacking of private garages at Manakau. The police were notified but no sign of the thieves could be seen. A car was stolen at Otaki and left on the Mangoira Gorge Road. Then the chase moved to the Feilding district to Kimboltqn and Kiwitea, several garages having been visited and petrol stolen. A car taken at Levin was abandoned between Apiti and Rangiwahia, and the police visited Rangiwahia to conduct a search. Meanwhile, a.car taken subsequently was recovered near Hunterville. .