THE ATTEMPTED BANK ROBBERY AT TAURANGA.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1381, 10 May 1881, Page 2

THE ATTEMPTED BANK ROBBERY AT TAURANGA.

-<► . Wi extract the following particulars from the Bay of Plenty Times :— lt appears that home time ago Mr Morris, the Mini uger of the B'ink, observed somo suspicious conduct on the pait of one or two mdividuls in town, and found himself followed at night, and fearing that an attempt might i c madf> to surprise him and rob the Bank, lie menti mcd the matter to Sergeant White, lequesfcing him to keep an eye on the premises. Sergeant White having satisfied himself that precautionary measures would not be out of pl.ic, decided on taking up his quarters with Constable Whelan in the Bink premises attor nightfall so as to be in readine c s in case any one should attempt asm prise. This movement on the part of the police was kept a profound secret from all but ho Bank Manager, and shortly befoie dusk every evening Sergeant White and Constable Whelan enteied the Baak, and stationed themselves in convenient positions waiting for anything that miirht turn up. Seveial nights passed without anything unubuil occurring, and on Tuesday eveni ing, as usual, Sergeant White and hib man entered the Bank at the accustomed hour, the former taking up his position in a httla side room adjacent to the door, and the latter beins? stationed in the hall just behind the door, so that no one could enter that way without his knowledge Everything remained quiet till about 11 o'clock. Mr Morris, who was about to retire for the night, was sitting in his private room reading. A knock was heaid at the outside door, and Mr Morris, thinking it was a friend, opened the door askin? him to come in. At the instant of the door being opened he found his face and head covered with a shower of pepper, which was throwu by his nntimely v.s'tor; Constable Whelm, who was standing behind him but unseen, coming in for a hhare of this unlooked for dusting. The unknown visitor then jumped forward, and seizing Mr Morris by the throat attempted to throttle him, belabouiing him at the same time with a titree bludgreon he carried in his right hand. Mr Morris, though almost suffocated with the pepper, showed himself ilive to the position, and a desperate struggle ensued in the dark, in which the burglar was not getting it all hia own way. Constable Whelan, who was jammed in between th-f assailant and the wall, and was nearly "-nfirocated with the pepper, also rendered effective assistance, freely using his baton on the head of fhe intruder. AW this took place m tho course ot about a minute. Serjreant Whyte, who was on the alert, rushed out on hearing the noise, and okiag in the position at a glance, with tho coolness and determination of a trained and experienced officer, immediately covered the stranger with his revolver, calling on him to put up his hands or he would fire. The fellow, seeintr that he was f auly entrapped and that fuithev struggling was useless, immediately throw up hit. hands, cryiny out " I cave in ; I am a prisoner." The man being then disposed of by being ae~ curely handruffed, Sergeant vVhite rushed out to t,ee if he had any confederates about, but, if Hiich had accompanied him to take tart in the raid, they must hi*ve decamped on healing the struggle as they were nowhere to be seen. On the doorstep, however, Sergeant "White came across a loaded pistol, cocked, we believe, m readiness for emergencies.