LATER.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11848, 22 July 1893, Page 2

LATER.

The following is from the New Plymouth Daily News : — Mr Thompson's wound is a Blight; one, and no ill effects are anticipated. The tact that the two revolvers which the highwayman had shows that he did not mean to surrender himself easily. He made a desperate struggle to get away, but Mr Ihompson proved himself of the right metal, and stuck to' hia man till assistance came. There can be no doubt that Thompson had a narrow escape of his life, for bad the bullet been a little more to the left it might have proved fatal by entering the heart. Thompson did not feel any illeffects at first, and, in fact, did not know thsfc he was wounded until some time afterwards, when his friends made him pull up his shirt and disclose the wound. In addition to the particulars given above of Mr Thompson's account of the affair the Daily News contains the following : — Before tne constable came the highwayman appeared to faint, and moaned heavily. Mrs Cottier threw some water on him to revive him That iB all I know. I do not feel any pain from the wound ia my side, and I don't think it worth while seeing a doctor. It is uot bleeding— only a dark bruiso," Mr Thompson showed our representative the wound, which was black, but not bleeding; it was an abrasion and not a deep wound. The pellets entered Mr Thompson's vest, and, after grazing the skin, passed out about four inches further on, leaving a hole in the vest and shirt. The highwayman had a mask on, and was dressed in a Volunteer's tunic. MR SIJIMIXS 1 M'ATEMENT. H. Simmons s .i-i -1 was standing in front of the hx U bar in the Criterion Hotel about 11 oV.oek, and I aaw the highwayman como in at the side entrance. He pointed a revolver at Mrs Cottier and also at me, and ordered us to " bail up." I thought he was only joking, and I laughed at him and said 1 had no money. I looked and suv that he had another pistol in his belt. Then Mrs Cottier told him to pass on. Ho walked on to the foot of the stairs. Someone then tackled him and he ficod. I sa,w him aEtei wards lying in the passage handcuffed. TUB BtLLIABD MARKER'S STATEMENT. Thomas Budd, billiard marker, states — At exactly 11 o'clock I went to the door at the side entrance to shut it. Just as I got to the door the highwayman came in. I ran into the commercial room, and I said "Okey, here's the highwayman." Mr Long was also there and he opened the window and said he would go for his revolver, which was at the bank. The highwayman did not say anything to me, but I saw him point his revolver at Mrs Cottier, who was in tbe bay. She called out toniß, "Come and help." I went out and joined Thompson iv the passage where Thompson had him down. I took a revolver out of the highwayman's belt when he was on the floor. This is the one. It is a five-chamber revolverjoaded an<l capped. It does not appear to have been used. WHAT SIB OKET SAW. Mr A. Okey states :— I was in the commercial room when Tom (tbe billiard marker) itisheJ. into the i oom shouting, " Here's tho highwayman." M.c Long who was talking to me at the time, went for his revolver, and returned in about a minute with it. I went into the passage immediately Tom called out, and saw the struggle with the highwayman. I had a heavy stick in my hand, and as the highwayman was struggling and trying desperately to get away I struck him some heavy blows on the leas with tho stick, which had the effect of quietening him. nit austen's statement. Mr G. Austen stated.— l was on my way

home, and as I reached the Criterion Hotel I heard pomsono ory out, " Highwayman. Highwayman." I rushed into the hotel, find a'u tho bottom of the stairMsolsawlbe highwayman in uniform with two or thieu men standing ovsr him, one holding him by the throat. He was lying on his back, kicking and groaning. The policemen afterwards came and arreslod him Tlia highwayman had two revolvers, which wore taken | from him. They wero both loaded. I did not know him as I had not seen him before. I'UHTIIER FAKTICULA.KS. Mr Cottier, who was in bed, on hearing the disturbance immediately came downstairs, and saw the highwayman on the floor. He received from the billiard marker the revolver which the highwayman had in his belt. Mr Cottier speaks in high praise of the courage shown by Mr Thompson, and the coolness with which the arrest wa3 affected. There is no doubt tbat Wallath was determined not to bocntured without fighting desperately, aii'i it is particularly fortunate that no. fatality occurred. Fortunately for the prisoner the pellets did not, as they might have done, mortally wound Mr Thompson. Had such a calamity occurred the prisoner must have had to face the terrible consequences, Most people were of opinion that tho highwayman would not fire and that the revolver he generally carried was not loaded. The facts given above disclose that he was prepared to act the desperado regardless of life. The prisoner's parents are re. Bpectable residents at Westown, ths father being a contractor. Tbe prisoner is 21 years of age, and lives with his parents. His motive for acting as he has done is bsyond all comprehension. Every, one remarked the courage shown by Mrs Cottier, a3 she acted with great coolness throughout. Too much praise cannot be given for the prompt and fearless manner in which Mr Tbompsou acted, even when he had to face a loaded revolver. Most men would probably have shrunk from acting as he did, being tstally unarmed and having to face a man who had him covered with a five shooter.