A LEAP FOR LIBERTY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1191, 26 December 1884, Page 3

A LEAP FOR LIBERTY.

On Friday two boys named Wright and Shears, who had escaped from Burnham a fortnight before, were recommitted to that institution. While being conveyed thither by twin Wright jumped from the train, which was going at average speed. Constable Beddek states that the two boys were quietly sitting opposite to him noor the door of the carriage engaged in eating biscuits, when Wright suddenly made a flying leap on to the platform add out of the train. The constable did .not ate him alight, but noticed him rise to his feet and immediately fall again. The Ashtrartdn police, on being apprised of the afftir, proceeded along the line, and on reaching the ballast pit, half a mile north of Ashburton, found Wright lying amongst the tutsocks, about a chain to the eastward of the track. He was unconscious, and a terrible gash, from which the blood was guaMng freely, had been inflicted on the' hack (if his head, causing a protrusion of tbc bran. The boy regained consciousness shortlyiafter his admisaioa to the Hospital. Upon (examination, Dr Ross discoveJed’tbat he hat sustained a compound depressed fracture cf the skull, which was of so serious a nature that he entertained little or no hopes of Us recovery. In order to afford the poor lad seme temporary relief, however, the doctor performed an operation by elevating the bones which immediately pressed on the brain, and this had the desired effect, as about 10 p.m. he was sleeping peacefully. Mr Maokay, who has had considerably experience in cases of this character, informs us that this is one of the worst cases that Jja has yet- come in ooritact with,.and regards his recovery as nothing short of a miracle. From the boy’s own volunteered statement it seems that the affair had been premeditated. His companion had fiist'imggestec this procedure, nnd it was arranged betwees them that Wright should first make the attempt ami Shears immediately follow him. The above is the melancholy result of their.-plot. Wright, who is only 13 years of age. has twice previously escaped from Burnham during bis two years’ confinement in that place, and while at large committed a number of larcenies. —Lyttelton ThUee.