ESCAPE OF PRISONERS.

Evening Post, Issue 181, 6 September 1865, Page 3

ESCAPE OF PRISONERS.

Hardly has the excitement consequent updn the outbreak and escape of prisoners from the City Gaol subsided, before the public have to learn that two prisoners have effected their escape from the Stockade at Mount Eden; but this time no violence was offered to any officials connected with the gaol, the fugitives rather trusting to secrecy to obtain their liberty. The names of those who have this time managed to get at large are Benjamin Rainsford and John Higgins, both soldiers, and both Irishmen. From .inquiries which were yesterday instituted, it appears that the prisoners in question were last seen at work upon some stone on the ground, about half-past nine, shortly after which time they availed themselves of the opportunity to get behind some carts which were leaving the Stockade, laden with blocks of scoria. Strange to say, their movements were not observed until they were a considerable distance from the building, when Mr. Tuckwell, the Governor, and a party of warders at once set off in active pursuit. The fugitives made off with all speed towards the Tapirangi Ranges, and so quickly did they fly, that the pursuers found it utterly impossible to come up with them. The governor states that, had a horse been at hand, there would have been no difficulty in overtaking them; but as it was, they were soon out of sight, and Mr. Tuckwell was unwillingly compelled to give up the pursuit, after a chase of more than seven miles. Some persons who were questioned as to the track taken by Rainsford and Higgins, evaded answering the questions directly, and even tried to throw the officers off the right track. Soon after the escape of the men, information was given to Mr. Commissioner Naughton, who, rightly judging that they ¦would make off to the bush, immediately despatched the water police up the river to cut them off at the Titirangi RaDges, as well as a number of police to follow them up by land, so that it is sincerely to be hoped that before long the escaped men will again be in custody, as this kind of thing appears to be getting too rife to be pleasant. The following is the description of the fugitives :— Rainsford, height 5 feet 7£ inches, complexion fair, and blue eyes ; Higgins, 5 feet 9£ inches high, black hair, blue eyes, and fresh complexion. They were both tried at the last sitting of the Supreme Court, and were undergoing a sentence of three and two years respectively. By latest inquiries we learn that they were tracked to within three miles of the Kaipara bush, dressed in their prison clothing, with their hair cut close, and shaved. — New Zealander.