STOLEN MOTOR CAR

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 189, 15 July 1925, Page 9

STOLEN MOTOR CAR

ABANDONED IN FLOOD WATERS

TOWED TO PALMERSTON NORTH

There was towed into Palmerston North this morning from Foxton a motor car which, although practically new, bore a thoroughly woe-begone appearance. It was liberally spattered with mud and parts were rusty from the effects of being almost completely submerged in the flood waters where it had been abandoned near Foxton at the beginning of last week. About a fortnight ago the vehicle was stolen from New Plymouth and was' driven through to the Manawatu where further progress south was arrested by the height of flood water on Whirokino road near Foxton. The driver was rescued from the motor car by a man on horseback, who, of course, had no knowledge that the individual he was succouring had stolen the machine, which was not claimed after the floods had subsided. This aroused the attention of the police and it was ascertained that this was a motor car which had been missing from New Plymouth. The effect of the water on the mechanism has been serious, the electrical apparatus having suffered considerably. A representative of the owner was in town this morning attending to the matter of repairs and the restoration of the vehicle to its New Plymouth garage. In the meantime, it is stated, no more has been heard of the person who appropriated the car. The “Standard’s” Foxton correspondent, referring to the abandonment of the car, says: “On July 3rd, ah Otouroa settler, returning home on horseback through the flood at Whirokino, was hailed by a man perched on a practicaly submerged car in the Government drain. It appeared that the motorist, a stranger in these parts, had attempted to negotiate the flooded Foxton-Levin road with the result that he had landed in the drain. The settler assisted him to dry land on the Levin side of the river and since then nothing has been heard or seen of the driver of the car. On the Sunday the only portion of the car visible was the hood, and it so remained submerged until last Saturday, when it was brought into town. The car had no number plates attached and no trace as to ownership was discovered until an envelope bearing the address of a New Plymouth resident was found under the seat. On enquiry being prosecuted in that direction it was discovered that the car had been taken awav without authority.

This information, however, clears up a somewhat sensational rumour that was circulated round town to the effect that three men had been drowned in the Government drain, being the occupants of the above-mentioned car.