CHASING MATENGA.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 147, 18 December 1907, Page 7

CHASING MATENGA.

«4. | For the past fortnight little has been heard of Hare Matenga, and the arrival of the little field force to try and capture him has given renewed interest to the subject of "the wil3 man of the woods,' 'says the. Poverty Bay Herald. At first somo people discredited the idea that it was Hare Malcnga that had extended his field of operations, but further proof of tho methods by which the different camps were robbed seemed to leave no doubt on that point, and the description given by those who saw him also tended, to confirm the belief. "Why didn't they shoot him?" is the question asked by many in regard to the men who covered him with a gun. It must be remembered that although to often termed an outlaw Hare Matenga is nothing of the kind. Ho might be called a fugitive from justice, and a persistent thief, but ho has done nothing that would justify his being fired on. Ho originally took to the bush because his anest was contemplated, but it is probable that the charge in that case could not have been substantiated. The real grievance in regard to Hare was Hint .steps wero not pvojnpbly taken at the time he started his career of pillage to have him captured, a task that could not bo accomplished by the small police staff at disposal. The statement made by j, Wellington paper tint the present time of the year will be found ideal for camping out is not borne out by a Motu settler to whom lho subject was mentioned. /'They'll not bs able to -get a wink of slqcp,"' was his conviction in regard to men coining fiom tho city ; and he went on to exphini that thoy would get a bad lime with the mosquitoes and iiics, which are a great nui-ance at this time of tho year.