AT REVOLVER POINT

Taranaki Daily News, 4 August 1930, Page 12

AT REVOLVER POINT

“RING UP QUEEN VICTORIA.”’ INCIDENT OF THE EARLY DAYS. A dramatic incident which occurred in Waihi during the early days was recalled by a visitor to the town, Mrs. M. K. Chandler, one of the pioneers of the district, who, with her husband, the late Mr. G. Chandler, 38 years ago conducted a general store with post office and telephone exchange combined. One evening when the store was still open, both Mr. and Mrs. Chandler being on the premises, a revolver shot rang out from the direction of Tanner’s Hotel, then the only licensed house in the town, and now known as the Commercial Hotel. Mr. Chandler went out to investigate, and he had no sooner cleared the premises when a second shot followed. He then discovered that the firing camo from a man standing t the. entrance to the hotel. Tho man started to walk towards the store. Mr. Chandler hastily returned to the shop and urged Mrs. Chandler to take refuge in the office at tho back. In tho meantime the man with the gun had arrived, and, eluding Mr. Chandler made his way to tho office. At the point of the revolver, ho ordered Mrs. Chandler to “ring up Queen Victoria,” and at the same time threatened to shoot if she did mt at once obey. How she managed to comply with this order Mrs. Chandler does not know to this day, but she succeeded in delivering the strange message in tho best voice she could command. Whilst she was thus engaged her husband camo through to the office, and persuaded tho demented visitor to retire to the shop and await the reply. Mr. Chandler then induced the man to leave the shop. When this was accomplished he made a dash for the store, and slammed and bolted the door, not ft second too soon, for his unwelcome visitor opened fire again, a bullet shattering tho glass over the door. An anxious time followed until the Paeroa police arrived, but tho capture of the man with the revolver was not effected till about midnight.