DARING ATTEMPT AT ESCAPE FROM THE STOCKADE.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 327, 26 January 1871, Page 2

DARING ATTEMPT AT ESCAPE FROM THE STOCKADE.

PLUCKY CONDUCT OF THE WARDER, j Yesteeday (Wednesday) morning, between 3 and 4 o'clock, a most daring attempt at escape from the Stockade was made by three prisoners now awaiting trial, and had it not been for the courage and presence of mind of the warder on duty, Mr. Or. Martin, they would have succeeded in effecting their escape, thus have caused no little expense and trouble in their recapture, if ever they had been recaptured. From enquiries made, we have been enabled to gather the following particulars : — The warder, Or. Martin, was going his round*, at the hour above stated, when on opening the door of the corridor into the mess-room he was rushed by three men. With admirable presence of mind he threw tho keys away into the middle of the yard, and tackled tho three desperadoes single handed. The attack was so sudden and unexpected, that Martin had no time to draw his revolver, so there was nothing for it but main strength and pugilism. Ho struck out manfully with fist and tho bull's eye lantern he had in his hand, and as a last resource threw tho lamp as the prisoners. This alarmed them, and they retreated, giving him time to draw his revolver, which completely cowod the desperadoes, who retired in admirable disorder. He at once closed and and bolted the door and went and procurod assistance, but on visiting tho colls ho found all the prisoners in bed. But in throwing tho lamp thg light was thrown on the countenances of all thrco prisoners, so that ho was able to rccogniso them. Ono of them is tho notorious Dunn, now awaiting trial on several charges of robbery from dwellings. Such conduct on tho part of tho warder dosorvos some substantial recognition on tho part of tho authorities, for had it not been for bin courage and presence of mind, tho prisoners would havo escaped, and tho province have been saddled with a largo amount of oxponso for their recapture. A substantial reward would havo tho effect not only of encouraging Warder Martin, but all tho other wiu'doi'B employed at tho ftloekiulo.