BANK HOLD-UP

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11538, 15 January 1932, Page 7

BANK HOLD-UP

EDENDALE AFFAIR ARMED MAN APPEARS IN KITCHEN MANAGER’S DESPERATE STRUGGLE WITH SECOND INTRUDER (Press Association/ EDENDALE, Jan. 14. Further inquiries regarding the hold-up in the Edendale branch of the Bank of New South Wales reveal no fresh developments.

The manager, Mr Archibald, and his wife are both suffering from shock. The latter (received bruises on her forehead and a cut on the cheek from the effects of an improvised sand hag. The intruders gained an entry through tlie open window of the sitting room in the front of the houso and walked down a lighted hallway to the kitchen, where Mr and Mrs Archibald were reading. Hearing footsteps, the latter got up from the chair and was opening the door when ono assailant rushed in and hit lior, knocking off her glasses. The second assailant also hit her on tho cheek. Air Archibald rushed to his wife’s assistance, and pushed hfT past him, enabling her, with, great presence of mind, to rush out the •back door and call for help, followed by a man armed with a rifle, which was loaded.

In the meanwhile Air Archibald struggled with the second man, who bib out with a sandbag, which hurst as it- struck Air Archibald’s head. Ho then ran outside to help his wife, who had rushed to a next door neighbour’s house. Her husband proceeded down the street and called for further assistance, hut upon returning found no trnc? of the intruders, who had decamped. The incident has created a good deal of interest locally and the general opinion is that though a determined attempt was made by tho would-bo robbers, once, the alarm was given they were afraid to carry through to obtain the keys or the bank premises, which are attached to the manager’s residence. On the night .previous to the holdup the blacksmith’s premises a few doors' away from the bank were burglariously entered and an attempt made’ to* set fire to the premises. This 'failed owing to early detection by a; passerby. Tbe general opinion is that tho incidents involve somebody with an intimate knowledge of local conditions as the hold-up was attempted after the closing of the telephone exchange, when means of. communication were restricted. '■ * .

A pungent and amusing commentary upon tli.e intricacy, and iiucei - taintv of proceedings in our Law Courts .50 years, ago was made by a Maori warrior, Titokowaru. in January 1832, when charged before the Now Plymouth .Pencil with having used threatening language at Manjaiu, • sayis'.'the Taranaki “Herald. The old warrior pleased “guilty, evidently thinking- it* useless to do otherwise. Rut the Pencil, at the instance of tlie prosecuting counsel, entered a plea of “not guilty,” and proceeded to ••take evidence; The fob lowing conversation between the .in* terpretery. Johnny Blake; and Tito* kowaru ensued: Plaice: “The. Magistrates won’t allow you .to say. yhu.are guilty • they. say you - are, not guilty.” Tito (wrapping his blanket round him. and preparing. with an air of satisfaction to lea ve the . dock): “Kapai” (good).. 1 Blake-: “You must not. go; they are going to try you now.” .Tito (astonished): “What do thev want to try me for if they say I’m Jlot guiltyf” Blake :\“But you might be guilty after all.”