HIDE AND SEEK

Evening Post, Volume c, Issue 82, 3 October 1940, Page 13

HIDE AND SEEK

THE PRISON ESCAPEES

VICINITY OF-HOBSON BAY

A LIGHT CAR MISSING

(By Telegraph—Press" Association.)

AUCKLAND, This Day.

The four prisoners .who escaped on Tuesday evening are still at large. Apparently they played hide and seek with the police throughout yesterday, in the district between .Shore Road, Remuera, and Hobson Bay,- on the eastern waterfront. "".. Three pairs of prison trousers and two pairs of prison socks .were found early this morning on., the ..cliff near the residential property .of Mr. J. Martin Wilson, seventeen acres in extent, off Shore Road. The police received a report that a light motor-car-was stolen during the night from a garage; on a property 400 yards from Mr. Wilson's residence. The police search in this area was intensified and citizens are taking the keenest interest in their operations. It is now believed.that on Tuesday night, the escapees, had the key of the main door of the prison." It. was on the bunch of keys in the possession of one of the warders who was knocked I unconscious. It is also, believed that the key jammed in the lock and that the prisoners then"'went to another door, of which they had the key. It is believed that by swinging, their combined ' weight, on it they broke a stout padlocked chain which held the latter door. ' ■■•••■■-

Auckland Hospital • authorities reported late last night that Joseph Graydon Crawford, aged 26,. the warder who suffered severe head injuries- and lacerations while. struggling .with his assailants, was seriously ill. -Tlhe two other warders, Joseph Wenzl« Scholium, aged 32, and-Arthur. Burgess, aged 43, who , had slight concussion ■ and scalp wounds, were said.^ to be-. .in a fairly satisfactory condition. . ■