SENSATIONAL CHASE

Northern Advocate, 22 January 1927, Page 6

SENSATIONAL CHASE

SUSPECTED BURGLAR CAUGHT. ESCAPE IN SPECIAL LAUNCH. AUCKLAND, This Day. On Thursday evening a sensational incident occurred at Pannuiro, involving the burglary of a building followed by the destruction of the premises by fire and the apprehension of a youth in a speed boat on the Tamaki River. The loss by fire exceeds £IOOO and neludes the loss of the whole building and the contents of a plumber’s shop, bootmaker’s workshop, confectionery business and garage, which it comprised. The sequel to the fire began at 7 o’clock yesterday morning, when Mr A. U. Wells, a resident of Panmure, noticed that his speed boat was missing from its moorings on the river. Soon afterwards he picked out the missing boat anchored about two miles down the river. Mr Wells went in pursuit irt a rowing boat and when within call of the speed boat he noticed a youth working feverishly on the launch. The lad took to the ■dinghy on seeing Mr Wells, but was captured.

He was a resident of Panmure. Under the seat of the speed-boat was a quantity of tobacco and confectionery. The boat was towed to Panmure and later the youth was arrested.

The goods found in the speed-boat were identified as belonging to the confectionery shop, which the youth admitted having broken into. He said he had a candle, but saw no sign of fire when he left. He took the speed boat, but, the engine failing to go, he dropped anchor. Mr D. ,T. Young, owner of the-build-ing and occupier of two of the shops, is a heavy loser. The premises were valued at £SSO, but were insured for only £3OO. Over £SO worth of plumbing tools were burned. The confectionery shop stock and boot-making apparatus were also insured.