DARING HOLD-UP STAGED

Southland Times, Issue 23337, 22 October 1937, Page 4

DARING HOLD-UP STAGED

REVOLVER LEVELLED AT TAXI DRIVER (United Press Association) PALMERSTON NORTH, October 21. Two youths staged a daring hold-up robbery at the revolver point tonight, the victim being a taxi driver, Tom Seel. The incident, which bore evidence that it had been well planned, was staged on the esplanade outside the motor camp entrance. The site was well selected as it is hundreds of yards from the nearest habitation and is enveloped in complete darkness with bush on one side and a belt of shelter trees on the other. One youth, who was white, and the other, a Maori, approached Seel on the Church street taxi stand and asked to be taken to the motor camp. When they arrived there the three got out, the Maori asking the driver if he had any change. Seel pulled out a handful of silver- and was then ordered by the white youth, with a revolver levelled, to drop the money on the ground. Seel aimed a kick at the weapon but missed. The youth threatened to drill him if he did that again, wnereupon Seel dropped the money, about 45/-. He was then ordered to get back in the car and drive off and keep going, which he did. Seel estimates that the white youth was about 19 years of age and ’ the Maori about 17. Both were slovenly dressed as if they had been sleeping out.