Background
He was born at sea in 1874. He was the son of a respected family of German immigrants to New Plymouth.
He was born at sea in 1874. He was the son of a respected family of German immigrants to New Plymouth.
Wallath"s crime spree went on for 15 months until he was overpowered when holding up a hotel. There was general astonishment when it was discovered who the perpetrator was. Wallath was sent to Mount Eden Prison in Auckland for eight years, but because of support from New Plymouth people, he was released after four and a half years in 1898.
In 1959, Wallath wrote a book about his teenage struggle with good and evil, A highwayman with a mission under a pseudonym.
Wallath Road in New Plymouth commemorates the Wallath family.