AN EXCITING CHASE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVII, Issue LVII, 9 April 1910, Page 5

AN EXCITING CHASE.

AFTER A MAORI OFFENDER.

PURSUERS SKILFULLY ELUDED.

The escapades of a Waingaroa na- ' tive named Karaka (Clarke) are J arousing considerable interest about Kawhia — in some cases amounting to disquietude — more especially among the Mapri residents. It is alleged (writes tho Kawhia correspondent of the New Zealand Herald) that Karaka relieved a fellow-nativo of over £4 in cash, together with some 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 'police 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 his heels.

Turning a sharp bend in the road, Karaka jumped from his hor.se and slipped into tho scrub. The party proceeded to beat cover, but all efforts to run the quarry to earth were unsuccessful, and the pursuit was called off.

The same evening, with hat and garments inside out, Karaka calmly rode past where the police and others were waiting; but he was not at first recognised. As soon as his disguise was detected tho chase was resumed. Whilst going at full gallop Karaka's horse fell, and Mr W. Armstrong's mount, a good jumper, cleared the prostrat-o 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 the week ho has so far evaded capture.

It us asserted that Karaka, who is well armed, is particularly clever in eluding the arm of the law. It is said that on ono occasion years ago he was ensconced in a willow tree on an island near Ngaruawnhia when "wanted," and on the police climbing tho tree to dislodge him he nimpod into the river, secured tho polko boat, and pulled ashore, leaving tho police in insular solitude. On another occasion it. is stated hot loft iho constable floating clown tho middle of Iho Waikato in a canoe while ho swam a«horo with the only paddle. A warrant has noon issued for his arrest, and ho is still at lar^e.