The New Plymouth " Highwayman” Caught.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7267, 21 July 1893, Page 3

The New Plymouth " Highwayman” Caught.

HE USES A REVOLVES. (By Telegraph.) NEW PLYMOUTH, July 21. “ The highwayman ” was caught last night. At about 11 o’clock h® bailed up the Criterion Hotel and presented a pistol at Mrs Cottier, the landlady. Inspector Thomson’s son, Harold, who was in the hotel, knocked the man down, and the highwayman fired, wounding young Thomson in the tide j but not seriously. Assistance being at hand the man was held down on the floor till the police arrived. The man’s name is Wallath, and ho was dressed in volunteer uniform and had two revolvers loaded. He will be brought up at the Police Court this morning. Later. Harold Thompson’s account of his encounter with the highwayman is that he was at the side bar of the Criterion Hotel, when he saw a man in military uniform opposite, who pointed a revolver at Mrs Cottier. Someone called out “ It’s the highwayman,” and Mrs Cottier told the man to move on. The highwayman went along the passage and Thomson ran round to meet him, and the two mot at the foot of the staircase. Wallath then fired hie revolver, hitting Thompson in the left side. Thompson then rushed at the man, seized him by throat, and a severe struggle ensued. Charles Holmes came to Thompson’s assistance, and the man was thrown on the floor and held there till a constable came and handcuffed him The man had on an old volunteer uniform coat, white striped serge trousers, patent leather crossbelt with cartouche box, blue serge helmet hat with red volunteer feather in a zinc plate, a black goat’s hair false beard, and a mask of blue merino. Charles Holmes gives the following account o? the highwayman affair. Ho was at the side bar, and saw the highwayman at the opposite bar. He was dressed in officer’s uniform, and had a mask on his face. The man went up the passage, and Mr Thompson ran to meet him. lioltues followed Thomp. son, who tackled the highwayman, who fired as soon as Thompson rushed at him, and Holmes went to Thompson’s assistance, and caught bold of the revolver the highway man had in his hand. It was a five chambered revolver, and four of the chambers were loaded and capped, when he got hold of it. Ho had another revolver in J his belt. In the struggle ths whole of them i fell down,' but they held the man till he was handcuffed by the policeman. He made a ' desperate struggle and had he not been disarmed might have used the revolver again Mrs Cottier in her account of the highwayman affair, says she was standing at the bar talking to Mr Simmons when the highwayman came in. He presented a revolver at her, and said, " Bail? up.” She thought it was a joke. She smiled, and said, “ Pass on,” thinking he was a volunteer in uniform having a lark.” She did not feel in the least frightened. He passed out and shortly afterwards ahe heard a shot fired and calls for help Someone said ” I believe Mrs Cottier is shot.” She then went to the staircase and saw the highwayman on the floor being held down. He appeared to have fainted and she got some water to revive him. Mr Cottier was in bed at the time, not being very well. Dr O’Oarroll states that Thompson had two leaden pellets in him. The wound is comparatively a slight one, but it was a very narrow escape. He believes he must have must have fired at Thompson’s heart, but in the struggle the charges glanced off about five inches. There are four distinct outs in Thompson’s coat indicating the entrance and exit of two distinct pellets. He examined the prisoner in the lookup. He showed indications of having been knocked on the the right leg, or struck with a heavy stick. The prisoner stated to Doctor O’Oarroll that he would have made it hot if it had not been for young Thompson, and that there were too many for him. Afterwards prisoner appeared to be perfectly cool and did not realize his position-

AT THIS POLICE COURT. Robert Wallath was charged this morning before the Police Court with firing at Mr Harold Thompson with intent thereby to kill and murder him. Inspector Thompson applied for a remand as the man had only been arrested the previous night* He said that probably other serious charges would be brought against accused.

Prisoner was remanded till next Friday ; no bail being allowed.