WELLINGTON.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 303, 4 September 1865, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

Escape op a Phxsoites. —A passenger per Ahuriri informs ua that a prisoner, named Riley, alias Smith, effected his escape from the Wanganui Loch-up on Sunday night last. It appears that Riley had been committing depredations at Taranaki, and had managed to elude the vigilance of the police. He was traced to Wanganui, and Sergeant Atkinson arrested him on a warrant from that Province. On conveying Riley to the Lock* np, he was searched, according to the usual custom and on his person ware found two watches, £29 I.la. .6(1, in money, and several nuggets of gold.

On enquire it was found that the prisoner had aU® been committing robbery in Wanganui. One of tlie watches and nugget of gold had been identified, and the prisoner was committed to take bis trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court at Weiliogton. On Sunday night, about li o’clock, Sergeant Atkinson visited the lock-np, and the prisoner was then hr safe custody. Having occasion to visit the lock-up about 10 minutes afterwards, he was not a little surprised to find that the cell was empty, and that Hiley had managed to effect Ills escape. On examination it was found that the prisoner must have possessed himself of a nail by some means or other, with the assistance of which he picked out the wood at the top of the window where the bar was fastened, then wrenched the bar off, and quietly made his exit. Instant search was made for the delinquent, but he could not be found. Information, however, has been received to the effect that Hiley had proceeded towards Taranaki. Two constables were on his trail, and they were in hopes of capturing him. The prisoner is an old offender.—lndependent, August 26. The Wangakhi.— We mentioned in our Thursday’s issue, that the s.s. Wanganui, Capiain Lowe, would proceed, on Wednesday next, to Wanganui and Taranaki, from whence she would leave for Nelson, to be put on the slip for the purpose of undergoing a thorough overhaul. We have since learnt that Mr Borthwick, of this city, will proceed in her, in order to paint and re-deco-rate the cabin. Her bottom is to be recoated with Borthwick,s patent anti-fouling composition.— Ibid.

Pkomotions and Movements. —The TV anganui Chronicle says:—We leant from a Government Gazette that Major Hookes is promoted to a Lieut.-Colonelcy, and that Captain Brassey becomes a Major, and that Captains George and McDonnell, Brevet-Majors. Lieutenants F. Ross is appointed Captain of the Wanganui Bushrangers, vice Captain H. I. Jones, resigned Lieutenants Wilson and Newland to be Captains, and Ensigns Clery and Bear to be Lieutenants of the Taranaki Militia. It is said Captain Hirst returns to Taranaki, and Major Yon Tempsky to the Waikato. Militaby Movements.— The same journal of the 18th inst. has the following : —Two Companies of the 57th Regiment went up the river in the Gundagai on Wednesday morning, and the rest of the detachment, including the band, went this morning, the whole being under the command of Colonel Logan. They are to be stationed at Koriniti, Rauana, and Pipiriki, and the Colonial troops at present on the river are to be withdrawn and sail for Hick’s Bay, on the East Coast, in the s.s. Brisk on or about the 25th inst.