HUNT IN HILLS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 304, 21 November 1936, Page 11

HUNT IN HILLS.

CAPTURE OF YOUTHS. Per Press Association. AVAIROA, Nov. 20. A lengthy hunt in rough hill country behind Te Rapatiki for two youths who, it was alleged, borrowed a motorcar at Palmerston North on Tuesday morning, culminated in the capture yesterday of the youths, who were brought to Wairoa and charged to-day before a Justice of the Peace with theft and with converting a car. The youths had been roaming about the hills for two nights, and wnen captured were in an exhausted condition. Their boots had gone, their feet were cut and blistered, and they had had nothing to eat but a few raw eggs and a little bread which it is stated they had procured from a farmhouse. They appeared relieved when caught hiding in some scrub by Sergeant I). Clark and Constable Gatehouse. The task of the police was no easy one. as the country is particularly rough. After scouring the country all day AA’ednesday they received advice from settlers, who also played a big part in the hunt, that the youths had been seen among the hills. Early yesterday morning the ponce set out for the spot where they had been seen. After climbing for about two hours in terrific heat they eventually found the youths hiding in some scrub. They had a blanket which they had stolen from a farmhouse. AA’hen the youths appeared in Court they were remanded to appear at Palmerston North on a charge of. converting a car va hied at £SOO Their names were suppressed. On charges of stealing a blanket valued at ss, and stealing 17 gallons of petrol, valued at £1 14s, they pleaded guilty and were admonished and discharged. Sergeant Clark said that some of the petrol was taken from a tractor and the rest was taken from a drum.