A DANGEROUS CRIMINAL.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 95, 20 October 1908, Page 5

A DANGEROUS CRIMINAL.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION. J INYERCARGILL, yesterday. Archibald John McNeiJl, who was arrested under arms at Woodend yesterday, was remanded this monning to appear at Wellington on. a charge of false pretences, and he left' by the second express under the escort of two constables.

MeNeill \Kas>ltlie .first man confined in the habitual criminal wing of the New Plymouth gaol, where he spent eight lonely months, and pleaded that the solitude was preying on his mind. As reported early last month, he was allowed out on probation on condition that he reported himself to the. police once a month. The facts of his disappearance were reported in a Press Association message from New Plymouth on September 7th. Since then he is alleged to have been guilty of false pretences at Christchurch, where he is alleged to have wrongly obtained money from Mrs Edmonds: ----■■■•

Since his .arrest yesterday it has come to be prettjr generally believed that McNeill, hajj he had an opportunity, would' have used his revolver. It is stated- that when- hiding in the scrub round the Bluff he- iised to be concealed with .lias revolver -in one hand and a stoiit club tied to his other wrist. It is said that while so hidden, he more than once saw his pursuers passing close by. Once hefore, while going a -train journey in custody, McNeill managed, to "lay out" on his escort, -and escaped temporarily, and he now boasts that he will get away yet.; His behaviour in Court thiVihorning was suggestive of "playing.to the gallery."