DARING THEFT AT WAIROA

Northern Advocate, 24 October 1936, Page 4

DARING THEFT AT WAIROA

BURGLAR WINS 80-MILE RACE TO NAPIER

[Per Press Association. — Copyright .l WAIROA, This Day.

A daring theft occurred at Wairoa yesterday afternoon, when a man entered the office of the Wairoa County Council and took £4O in notes from a canvas bag lying on the counter. He then hired a taxi and made with all speed to Napier. It was some time later before the police were able to get on the track of the thief, but they lost no time in giving chase. Obtaining another taxi, they set out in pursuit through 84 miles of hills to Napier, but were beaten by about 15, minutes. The thief is not yet caught. _ The theft occurred shortly after 4 o’clock, and was soon discovered. The county clerk, Mr. B. G. Signall. communicated with the police, who ascertained that a man who was suspected of the theft had hired a taxi to take him to Napier. The police then endeavoured to communicate with the Post Office at Putorino, with the object of having the taxi stopped, but were unable to get an answer to the telephone ring as it was after 5 o clock, and the telephone exchange had closed.

Constables McAlpine and Gatehouse hired another taxi and set out m pursuit, but after a wild drive rough the hills they were unable to catch the vehicle ahead of them. From inquiries made in Napier, it was learned that the first car had arrived there 15 minutes before the police.

A . cl °se watch was kept on the Wairoa-Napier road until a late hour ght , Motor cars using the ™ ad Tif re + v °? Ped and £earc hed. However, the thief is still at large.