FOURTH CAPTURED

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 86, 8 October 1940, Page 9

FOURTH CAPTURED

ESCAPED PRISONERS

ELABORATE BUSH CAMP

WITH A GOOD RADIO

(By Telegraph—Press j^nsodution.)

AUCKLAND, This Day. The discovery of two camps in the bush off the road to Karekare, on' the west.coast beyond Titirangi, was made this morning- by the police following the arrest at 6 a.m. of the fourth prison escapee, David Fraser Watson, aged 21, seaman and labourer, who was serving 18 months' detention for arson.

Watson was found by Superintendent J. Cummings, Sub-Inspector Hall, and Detective Turgis in a. clearing in the bush about 100 yards off the road leading to Karekare, about two and a half miles from the Well-known seaside resort. . . ■

A police party headed by Superintendent Cummings left Auckland about 3' o'clock this morning and searched the bush. At 6 o'clock they were going along the road when Superintendent. .. Cummings . sighted Watson behind some bushes in a clearing. "Watson was walking towards the police party, and when called on to stop called out, "It's a fair cop." He was held by Superintendent Cummings and Sub-Inspector .'. Hall and handcuffed by- a constable. •■ :: ...... . .

About 100 yards, away the police found a pile of blankets and a tent, not erected, also a bbx containing food and tobacco. Four hundred; yards further in .the bush a well-established camp was discovered. .Thrown across two manuka poles was a green canvas motor-van cover, with two mica windows. This was covered by fern leaves to hide the camp from view.

Supplies found - inside the camp filled "two. police, cars. There, were. two. tent covers, four large suitcases'packed ■with goods, four kerosene boxes filled "with tinned- food, small sacks of flour, oatmeal, cornflakes,. candles, matches, tobacco, etc. Also installed in the camp was a modern five-valve portable radio set, the leads of which were attached to. a six-volt motor-car battery. The set was in perfect order, and'before dismantling it the police listened in to IYA, the programme coming tfyrdugh in loud volume. .

The police told a reporter that there ■was reason to believe that the three escapees, arrested yesterday had also foeen jn the camp.

Watson Was brought to the Central Police Station. He. was wearing flannel trousers, a white sweater, an old black coat, and White tennis shoes, but was hatless. He was not in the. same good condition as the other escapees and immediately after a good breakfast of "bacon and eggs rolled himself up in the blankets in the police "cell and went to sleep, .'. ~