A DARING ESCAPE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1863, 9 June 1888, Page 3

A DARING ESCAPE.

ROBERTS AT LARGE AGAISf. (P3R PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Christohuruh, June 8. Jonathan Roberts' escape was evidently made by the assistance of his fellow convicts. Tbe gaog wna working on Ripa Island and numbered about 40 m charge of 6 warders. There were also leveral artillery men on the island. At noon the convicts were looked up m the mess shed, a corrugated iron building, for dinner tho Artillery mounting gaard outside. On mustering tho conviota at one o'clock after dinner Roberts was missed. It was found that a sheet of iron m the mess room had been removed. The lahnd lies about 50 yards from the main land, and as it was high water at the time of the eaoape, Roberts probably awam across tbe strait. The remainder of tho gang were nt onoo broaght off! he Island and lodged m Lyttelton gaol. The police aod artillery were coon m paraui*. Inspector Fender went to Lyttelton at 4 o'olook. Roberts' coat, soaked with water, wii fouid 50 yards op the hill on mainland, but up to the present no further traoo of him has been obtained. Four constables and two artillery men are vow scouting the bills for him. He la said to know Banks Peninsula well having at one time lived m Akaros. [Up to the time of going to press there Is no word that Roberts has been captured.]