THE GERMAN ESCAPEES.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1917, Page 1

THE GERMAN ESCAPEES.

PARTICULARS OF THE SEARCH. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] AUCKLAND, Dec. 23. Particulars are nfiw available of the search made for the escaped 'German prisoners. Altogether 30 craft were employed, comprising eight steamers, nine boats of the motor service corps, ten privately owned motor. launches, and two private yachts;

During the greater part of the first three days the weather was exceedingly rough, and all had a strenuous experience, and some minor mishaps occurred, one launch being put out of commission by the loss of her rudder. The search extended as far north as the Three Kings and to the East Cape, every island in and beyond the Hauraki Gulf being minutely examined, while armed patrols made a reconnaissance inland along the Waiwera and Pnlioi rivers. *' With the exception of - the news of the capture of the scow Moa, which led to the final success of the search, no trace of the missing Germans that was of material value was found. The patrol in the Waiwera district was told hv a schoolmaster near Tlelensville that he met on December 13th an exceedingly well-dressed foreigner walking along the road, and judged from his apnearance that the man liad slept out the previous night. A large number of boats continued to patrol after the despatch of the Iris to the Kermadecs. until news of the recapture was received.

CAPTURE OF THE JtOA

AUCKLAND, Dec. 22

Captain Francis, of the scow Rangi, who gave the first information of the capture of the Mon, states that he left Mayor Island on Saturday at six p.m., and was off Mercury Bay when he saw the Mo a round to the, launch in which the German' prisoners had escaped. Tile launch was alongside, and he know the Germans had escaped from Motuhi, and concluded that they had taken possession of the Moa. n We were, lie said, “four or five miles away at the 'time, hut. as far as we could see, there was no struggle. Shortly after that the Moa sailed away under press of canvass, and at once made for Port Charles to report the occurrence.