TELEGRAMS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 81, 7 April 1910, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

EXCITING ESCAPADES. POLICE PURSUE A NATIVE. fIOW HE EVADED CAPTURE. fiOME REMARKABLE INCIDENTS. [BX tXLKOBAPn — SPECIAL TO TBI POST.) AUCKLAND, This Day. The escapades of a Waingaroa native tiamed Karaka (Clarke) are arousing considerable interest about Kawhia — in some cases amounting to disquietude — more especially among the Maori residents. It is alleged (writes the Kawhia correspondent of the Herald) tint Karaka relieved a fellow-native of over £4 in cash, together with fonie jewellery, at Oparau, and information to that effect was given to the police. Karaka was pointed out to the local constable on the racecourse on Easter Monday, but when approached on the subject he vaulted on to a saddled horse standing near, and bolted at top speed with the polios and others in full cry. Half a mile down a steep incline brought the hunt to the main road, up which Karaka doubled, with his pursuers hot on hk heels. Turning a sharp bend in the road, Karaka jumped from his horse and slipped into the scrub. The party proceeded to beat cover, but all efforts to run the quarry to earth were unsuccessful, and the ptv.r.uit was called off. The same evening, «ith hat and garments inside out, Karaka calmly rode past where the police and others were waiting ; but he «as not at first recognised. As soon as his disguise was detected, the chase was resumed. Whilst goin? at full gallop Karaka 's horse fell, and Mr. W. Armstrong's mount, a good jumper, cleared the prostrate horse and rider. Before the rest of the field could come up, or Mr. Armstrong could turn, Karaka had slipped through a fence and disappeared in the vegetation of a swamp. Although he has been sighted on various occasions during; tho week, he has no fnr evaded capture. It is asserted that Karaka, who is well armed, ia particularly clever in eluding therme *rm of the law. It is said that on one occasion years ago he wa> ensconced in a willow tree on an island near Ngaruawahia when "wanted," and on the police climbing the tree to dislodge. Jura ho jumped into the river, secured the police boat, and pulled ashore, leaving the police in insular solitude. On another occasion it is stated he left the constable floating down the middle of the Waikato in a canoe wi»il<f he swam ashore with the only paddle. A warrant has been issued for hi--arrest, and he is still at largo.