FRUIT ROBBERIES. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2798, 25 January 1871, Page 2

FRUIT ROBBERIES. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir—l observe in to-day's paper our fellowcitizen, Mr Thomas Birch, advertising apple trees to be given away on certain conditions. Now, as I have been annoyed, more or less, for the last three years by a set of young miscreants, not only stealing apples, but breaking down fence 3, and breaking the trees in their harry to get off unobserved, t can quite sympathisewith Mrßirch. Butl was rather stunned by the audacity of one of them to-night. While I was working in the garden I heard a knock at the door, which I answered, and found it was only one of the young gentlemen leconnoitring to see whether it wou'd be safe to make a descent. His rather awkward way of enquiring where one of my neighbours lived aroused, my suspicion. I therefore went with him to show him the house, and see if he had any errand; but when 1 went butside,~his companions, who were awaiting the result at a little distance; left rather hurriedly, and my young friend did not wish to go into the house he enquired for, but only wanted to know" where it wa£ as he had a parcel to fetch/; all this being done with a bold face, while he saw quite well I suspected him, After he had- gone, I followed to, watch the effect and see if possible how many o"f them Tknew[ j but as soon as I became visible to them, they L all took themselves off rather quicker than even very good errand boys; are in the habit of travelling/ Several of the boys are quite well known tome, but I would much rather that it would fall to the lot of some other person to make an example of them.—l am, &0., ... . a. h. :

Moray Place, Jan. ,24.