MAN-HUNT AT EXCHANGE CORNER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20960, 25 February 1930, Page 10

MAN-HUNT AT EXCHANGE CORNER.

' INTRIGUING COMPETITION. The. vicinity of the Fountain was a scene of unusual activity at noon yesterday, for in terms of an advertisement which, appeared on Saturday, Captain Brown was due at 12.30, and Captain Brown would reward with the gift of a cycle the first person who addressed him by the magic phrase: “Captain Brown, the Calder Mackay way makes it pay.” Many not interested in the winning of the cycle were drawn thither by curiosity. . '■ ■ Many of the treasure hunters carried in their.hands the,.illustration of Captain Brown which had Appeared in the paper to aid. them in their search. Some of Dunedin's staid citizens were startled when addressed by utter strangers as Captain Brown; and appeared to think that the Band Contest had had rather an unusual effect on the youth of the city. 1 ! The searchers were now stimulated to further activity by the arrival of two cyclists bearing on their, backs placards which read: “Captain Brown is not yet found." Several false rumours that the chase was ended spread among the crowd, but the presence of the placards showed that the fun was not yet over. But a movement appeared to be setting in—a gradual flocking up Rattray street. From mouth to mouth word was passed that the chase was ended—the Captain Brown had been run to earth, and was escorting the successful hunter to the store to select from their large stock a cycle.

Hunter and hunted found difficulty in forcing their way through the throng at the doorway, but in a few moments both appeared in the window among the cycles. After a few moments the choice appeared to have been made, and the manager was seen handing over the cycle to the winner, with a few suitable words of congratulation. The onlookers good naturedly cheered the winner as he mounted and rode off. and many of the more youthful wondered why they had not been the lucky ones. Interviewed afterwards, Captain Brown stated that be had several narrow escapes before he was finally captured. Twice he heard someone say, “ There goes Captain Brown,” and on another occasion he was accosted with “ Captain Brown,” but as the rest of the necessary words were not used he hurried on his way.

During the whole progress of the hunt he was never more than 150 yards away from the Fountain, and it is remarkable tlifit the hunt lasted so 10ng.—25230.