MORE AUCKLAND ROMANCES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2520, 2 July 1902, Page 68

MORE AUCKLAND ROMANCES.

RIVALLING THE GRAND HOTEL HOUSEMAID.

AUCKLAND, June 30

An extraordinary story has been told to the police by a 17-year-old girl, who resided with her parents in the vicinity of the city. She states that she left her home at liaifpast 7 last Monday to deliver a letter, and when a quarter of a mile away she was accosted by three strange men, who were masked and had pistols in their hands. They ordered her to stand still, and dared her to call out or move. They made her undress, removing all her clothing except her boots. They allowed her to keep hor waterproof cloak and umbrella. The mysterious trio were then, she said, about 400 yards away, and one of the men picked up ber clothes and ordered her to walk up into the main street According to the girl's story, the men made the following statement: — "We have been playing pingpong until we were tired, and we agreed to l.aye some fun with the first woman who came out in such weather as thip.' 7 None of the men are charged by the girl with laying hands on her. She did not call out, but went to a friend's house, and was admitted in a nude state, her clothes being found iv a parcel on the verandah later on. Inquiries made by the police show that the girl actually went to a friend's house in the condition described by herself on the evening in question, but as the night was very wet the police comment on the fact that the clothes when found on tho verandah were quito dry There is a strong suspicion that she remoTed her clothes there before knocking for admittance. The story is doubted by her father and friends, although her mother affirms her belief in all her daughter s-ays.

A story somewhat similar to that previously wired is told in a letter to the Star, which, if genuine, justifies belief in the truth of the story told by the girl No. 1. The names, times, and localities are different, though both affairs are reported as ha^ng occurred last Monday night. In the case just reported, the girl states she was accosted by three masked men, who compelled her tc ptrip herself of all her clothing, and struck her with the butt fend of their pistols because she screamed. They gagged her, and left her with only an umbrella, not far from her own home, which she reached in the condition stated. Steps are being taken to verify this story, which, unlike the former, has not been reported to the police.

A reporter made a diligent search for the girl No. 2 at the address given, which was a lane off Pitt street, but failed to discover her. It is presumed this case ha& no foundation in fact.

It is predicted that the American cable from San Francisco to the Hawaiian Islands will be in operation before the Ist of December. It may be extended from Honolulu by way of Midway Island and Guam, to Manila, and thence to Japan. Penny postage has proved a great boon Ever since it has come into force, Such benefits cannot reach us too soon,

Though bound to arrive in due course. It is time we took care of our pence,

And likewise our health, I am 6ure, So he with a cough and good sense Takes Wiiftfifl' f^ ng <>T f EXiMwmx f^^Bj