ENCOUNTER WITH ARMED BURGLAR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12081, 9 August 1917, Page 4

ENCOUNTER WITH ARMED BURGLAR.

WANGAKUI FAMILY'S EXCITING EXPERIENCE.

A sensational affair occurred j'ast before daylight on Monday at a. residence on River Bank Boad, Wanganui (says tho "Dominion"). Tho house is tenanted by a welJ-known local business man and bis family. The head of tho liouso was awakened by what appeared to be the sound of a window being cautiously opened and a slight bump, hue ho did not pay much attention to it and dozed off again. The intruder quickly mado his presence felt, a,s a daughter i n another room awoke to find a. man with a revolver in his hand bending over her bed. " Don'l, say a word," said the man, "or I'll shoot von." The threat, did not deter the young lady from using her lungs, and her screams soon an/used the inmates. Tho householder jumped out of bed and rushed out into the passage. Here lie met the burglar and grappled with him. but the hitter pointed the revolver into his assailnnt's face and said in tone.-, "Let, <r n ,„• I'll shoot." To Jet go occurred to tho householder as the only safe, course to adopt, as the intruder 'evidently meant business. The burglar backed -nwav, and then rushed and escaped throusih the bathroom window. Tt appeared that the burglar had removed his boots before breaking into the house, as after jus hurried flight one boot was fcftimi in the yard—a souvenir which has been handed over to the police. With <'onsiderablo cunning the burglar had placed a. row of pot plants outside the back _door, the evident intention being to trip any pursuer. From what could he learned it appeared that the burglar did not get away with anything of value, but the family had certainly a most exciting experience. The police are making inquiries into tho matter.