WHERE DID THEY GET IT?

Evening Star, Issue 23701, 8 October 1940, Page 6

WHERE DID THEY GET IT?

ELABORATE CAMP OF ESCAPED PRISONERS FOURTH MAH ARRESTED [Per Exited Press Association.] AUCKLAND, October 8. The discovery of two camps hi tho bush off the road to Karekare, on the west coast beyond Titirangi,- was made this morning by the police following tho arrest at 6 a.m. of tho fourth prison escapee, David Fraser Watson (21), a seaman and labourer, serving IS months’ reformative detention for -arson. Watson was found by Superintendent J. Cummings, Sub-inspector Hall, and Detective Turgis in a clearing in the bush about 100yds off the road leading to Karekare, about two and a-half miles from a well-known seaside resort. The 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 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-in-spector Hall and handcuffed by a constable. About 100yds away the police found a pile of blankets and a tent which was not erected, also a box 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.

The supplies found inside the camp filled two police cars. There were two tent covers, four large suit cases packed with goods, four kerosene boxes filled with tinned food, small sacks of flour, oatmeal, cornflakes, candles, matches, and 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 set in perfect order, and before dismantling it the police listened-in to a IYA programme coming through at loud volume.

The police told a reporter there was reason to believe the three escapees arrested yesterday had also been in the camp. Watson was brought to the Central Police Station wearing flannel trousers, a white sweater, an old black coat, white tennis shoes, and 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 blankets in the police coll and wont to sleep. --