DISAPPEARING MOTOR CARS

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4962, 31 August 1918, Page 5

DISAPPEARING MOTOR CARS

EPIDEMIC IN GISBORNE.

DRIVER JUMPS FROM MOVING CAR.

DETECTIVE’S EXCITING STRUGGLE.

The owners of a number of motor cars have had the unpleasant experience recently of failing to find them where they were left in Gisborne. The cars have, in at least three instances, been taken from outside places of entertainment. Last night two machines were left in Peel Street whilst the respective owners were in the Opera House enjoying the performance of “Molly Bawn.” The proprietor of one of the cars, Mr. Norman Law, a Te Karaka hotelkeeper, went outside at the interval and found that his car was missing. He. immediately went over to the police station and reported the loss. Constable Fischer went in search of the missing vehicle, but up to the early hours of this morning no trace of it had been found.

There was an exciting struggle between Detective McLeod and a soldier as .the sequel to the taking away of a taxi car belonging to Mr James Barclay. It appears that about 10 o’clock last night Mr Barclay, on leaving the Opera House found that his car had disappeared'. He, too, went across the rogd to the Police Station and reported the mater. Accompanied by Detective McLeod Mr Barclay went in search of the car. They enlisted the services of Mr Evans, a taxi proprietor, and.acting on “information received,” proceeded down Childers Road. After proceeding a considerable distance along the road! referred to the partv came up with a, motor car, ine outline of which indicated that R belonged to Mr. Barclav. It was being dnven. in an erratic fashion, and the driver, evidently realising that he was being followed, put on speed and drove along at a reckless rate, with the other car in close pursuit. The fugitive turned the co! ner at Stanley Road at- a very fast. pace and continued in a zio--za" fashion. "

The pursuers thought the affair would end in a tragedy, particularly when the escapee was nearing the bridge on Stanley Road. However, lie successfully negotiated the bridge '''hffi the other car closelv behind. After proceeding a few chains the driver of Mr. Barclay’s car jumped out of. the vehicle whilst it was still travelling. The machine, fortunately, ran into heavy sand a few yards further on and stopped. In the meantime, the pursuing car approached and Detective McLeod jumped out. He could dimly see the figure of the driver of Mr. Barclay’s car clamber through a wire fence and disappear in the darkness across a vacant piece of land. The detective went rapidly in pursuit in the direction in which he 'saw the fugitive.

When he had proceeded some little distance he saw a figure of a man lying on the ground, and when ffie approached the man sprang to his feet and endeavored to trip the detective up. The two men then came to grips and an exciting struggle ensued. Eventually the detective managed to get his opponent in a helpless position on the ground, and. by this time, Mr. Barclay appeared on the scene. The man was conveyed to the police station, and Mr. Barclay took possession of his machine. On arrival at the station the soldier’s name and address were taken, and he was allowed to go. It is anticipated that the affair- will have a sequel in Court.