Sensation in a Levin Restaurant

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6627, 14 August 1931, Page 6

Sensation in a Levin Restaurant

GUNMAN SCARED AWAY BY PROPRIETOR’S BIG KNIFE

Special to Times. LEVIN, Aug. 13. “Put that gun away! ” exclaimed Mr. Lurajud, proprietor of the Levin Cafe, emphasising the demand with the point of a big knife—and the stranger who had designs on the till hurriedly departed, taking his parcel of fish and chips with him, but leaving his change on the counter.

The incident occurred at 11.30 o’clock last evening, when the streets were almost deserted. Mr. Lurajud says that a man came into the cafe and asked for a feed of fish and chips to take away with him. This was brought into the shop and the purchaser put a 2/ piece on the counter. The proprietor picked up the coin and was in the act of turning to the cash register—situated at right-angles to the counter —to procure change, when the visitor drew something from his pocket and held it straight out. From the corner of his eye the cafe-keeper saw the handle of a revolver, and ho took instantaneous action which prevented robbery or worse.

A knife with a blade over a foot long, used for cutting up fish, was lying concealed under a bundle of papers on the counter, and he thrust it forward until the point touched the man’s ribs, at the same time calling on him to put the pistol away. Outside, another stranger, iq a motor car, was calling, “Hurry up!” But his mate needed no urging after the touch of cold steel. He left incontinently and jumped into the car, which disappeared northwards. The episode reminded the proprietor of lawlessness in America, where he has lived, and where the knife, in similar circumstances, would have been made to penetrate. His presence of mind acted not only to scare off the hold-up man, but to prevent the defender from going too far. The matter has been reported to the police. ,

Holcl-up in a Tent VISIT BY TWO MASKED MEN. WOODCUTTER SHOT IN THE LEG Per Press Association. WANGANUI, Aug. 13. After one o’clock this morning, the police were summoned to St. Johns Hill, Great North Road, where, it was reported that a tent occupied by Clifford Charles Organ had been visited by two masked men with a pea-rifle, who demanded money. Organ, who was taken by surprise, jumped up and attempted to snatch the mask off one man, when he w r as shot by the other in the leg with a pea-rifle. The injured ran was taken to ho hospital. The police are scouring the district. Organ had a wood-cutting contract. LATER. Organ was shot at while he was lying in bed. The shot went througa the fleshy part of his leg below the knee. , The police are investigating and incline to the view that the motive was not robbery but domestic trouble.