RAID BY BANDITS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 220, 3 September 1929, Page 6

RAID BY BANDITS

EXCITING ADVENTURES IN CHINA NEW ZEALAND WOMAN’S ACCOUNT. Three women had a terrifying experience on their way to spend the summer at Mokanohan, on the hills' far up the Yangtsee River in China. The party consisted of Mrs James A. Uigjuhart .who is known inChnstchurcn and Dunedin; Mrs Truman, a woman of 73 years; and her daught-er-in-law. These women have reside in China for about 30 years (says the Christchurch Times), and almost yearly they have spent a part of the hot season among the hills to escape the heat of Shanghai. From Shanghai to Hanchow they travelled by railway, and thence by launch to the dangerous rapids, where they transferred to native boats. While performing this part of their journey their boat was attacked by bandits, who, yelling at them and covering them with pistols, forced them to hand over their rings, watches, money, and suitcases. In a letter to friends in Christchurch, Mrs Uuquhart writes: “Conditions in China are very unsettled, and to leave Shanghai and come here was a risk, though we thought it practi caily safe, as many stayed here last summer, and arrangements are made for a full season this year. However, we ran into the bandits a few hours after leaving Hangchow, and it was a terrifying experience. As we in Shanghai are quite used to hearing of frequent bag-snatching, and robberysome people even losing their lives— I was quite prepared to let the robbers take all I possessed. This we all carried out, but it was a shocking ordeal. Our boat was stopped with gunfire, which was at first thought to be crackers. Fortunately we had one man servant, and we were accompanied by a railway official. Can you imagine a very dark night, a heavy drizzling rain, a small space, say about three feet square, and not high enough to stand in ? . When the noise of shouting and firing of pistols started wo sat straighter and listened til) all seemed to realise that it was a raid, and that our heads were on a level with the small windows of the boat. WAITED FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. We crouched into the well of the boat and just waited for something to happen It certainly did, in a few seconds. Two horrible-looking men with extended pistols came scrambing over the luggage towards us, literally yelling at us to give up our money and valuables or they would kill us. None of us women understood what they were saying, but we were not left in doubt. One man grabbed at my wedding ring, which I quickly tore off my finger and gave to him. Another picked up small bags and parcels. I was fascinated by the careless way the men handled’ the guns. After taking my ring, the bandit demanded the wedding rings of the other two women. Mrs Truman, our hostess for this visit, was wearing a wristlet watch which she valued very much. This was snatched away. All was done in a terrific haste; I imagine they were afraid of being disturbed. The next thing I saw was my handbag picked up and opened. Truly, I never was so gladdened by the chink of monev as I was then when I heard the tinkle of dollars. I had 20 silver Mexican dollars wrapped in paper. As they chinked T could see a look of satisfaction in the face of my bandit, and I never felt happier than being in the position to bestow the blessed money This would appease somewhat their creed and perhaps secure us from ill-treatment. 1 had a bundle of notes as well, together with a watch and other trinkets I prized. All were taken. NOT ONE FELT PANICKY. During the raid not one of us felt panicky. I was conscious that something dreadful might happen, and prayed and hoped that what plunder they could get would suffice. Several of cur suit-cases which thes. could not open they carried off‘i Others were broken into, and my two cases were soon gaping wide at the sides The man used his gun and feet to burst them open, and the contents came out and were scrutinised. Really, I smiled inwardly as some ol the things came scatering around Some fell on the boat and some in the water. At the time I did not care what happened to them. I could only wonder and keep hoping they would leave us in the wreck unharmed. This thev did. They carried off several suit-cases and bags, some of which contained money, besides that which the handbags contained. It was all over in about a quarter of an hour, and we were left to continue our journey to the rest house—another hour and a-half in the dark. We were met by the caretaker, who arranged for ns to spend the remainder of the night there, leaving for the hilltops in the early morning.

A Stratford resident states that he saw a unique sight while travelling from New Plymouth to Stratford one afternoon recently. The sun was sinking below the mountain and had thrown a clear outline of Mount Egmont on a bank of mist which shrouded the hill to the east. Mr. Justice Kennedy to-day at Invercargill awarded Colin James Nicholson, who was injured while motor-cycling, £322 damages against Jabez Lyons, who was towing a disabled car. His Honour held that there had been negligence by the driver of the towing car but no negligence on the part of the driver of the tow’ed car.—(Press Association.)