EXCITING ESCAPADES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9185, Issue 9185, 8 April 1910, Page 8

EXCITING ESCAPADES.

— POLICE PURSUE A NATIVE. $ AUCKLAND, April 7. The escapades of a Waingaroa native . lamed Karaka (Clarke) arc arousing •onsiderable interest about Rawhia—in iome cases amounting to disquietude— norc especially among tho Maori resilonts. It is alleged (writes the Kawhia of tho Herald) that Kanaka relieved a fellow-native of over ±<4 n cash, together with some jewellery, at )parau. and information to that eftect .vas given to the police. Karaka was jointed out to tho local constable on ;he racecourse on Easter Monday, but ivhen approached on the subject he vaulted on to a saddled horso standing near, ind 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 Keels. Turning a sharp bond in the road. Karaka jumped from his horee and slipped into the scrub. The party proceeded to beat cover, but all efforts to run tho quarry to earth were unsuccessful and the pursuit was called off. The same evening, with hat and garments inside out, Karaka calmly rodo past where the police and others were waitins; ; but he was not at first recognised. As soon as his disguise was detected the chaso was resumed. Whilst going at full gallop Karaka's horse fell, and Mr YV. Armstrong's mount, a good jumper, cleared the prostrate horse and rider. Before tho 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 he has so far evaded capture. It is assorted that Karaka, who is well armed, is particularly clever in eluding the arm of the law. It is said that on one occasion years ago hfi was ensconced in a willow tree on an island near Ngaruawahia when "wanted," and on the police climbing the tree to _ dislodge him he jumped into tho 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 while ho swam ashore with the only paddle. A warrant has been issued for his nrrnsf iinrl Vip. is still at laree.