AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1922, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.

RECAPTURED prisoners. SYDNEY, May 10.

The escape of two French prisoners from the Elkanara, while coaling Newcastle is mysterious. They dis- ■<- appeared during the night, though apparently securely confined with a guard over them. The steamer departed for New Caledonia. Subsequently the two _ escapees were captured aboard a ship \ which was scheduled to leave Newcastle for Durban to-day. SYDNEY, May 15. The two French prisoners who escaped from the Elkantra, were tried at the Newcastle Court for vagrancy, and were remanded till the 22nd. Both men had been banished for life, by the French Government. One, Tu. lop was an airman in the same force as Georges Carpentier, the boxer. He also was a boxer at Paris, having beaten Criqui, the famous French boxer who recently visited Australia. Tulop had refused to fight against the Bolsheviks on the Servian front. He went to Spain and was charged with desertion on his returning to France. He is an undergraduate, and he has left his wife and children in France.

The other prisoner, named Sziber,-js-»—=w—-a Roumanian. He was banished for life on a charge of obstructing the French authorities' when the Allied occupation of Hungary commenced. After the Armistice, Sziber declared that he was engaged in military police duties at a railway station in Hungary, and he refused to hand over the railway facilities to the invading Allied Army. It is thought that France wRI now probably commence extradition proceedings.

There are friends of the two prisoners in Newcastle and in Sydney. They are suggesting an appeal for funds to fight the case.

SYDNEY WOOL SALES. ‘ SYDfEY, May 15. Last week’s advanced rates were tor — d, day fully maintained at the wool sales. The offerings consisted chiefly of greasy merinos. France was a consistent competitor for the super lines. America and Bradford outbid Japan for the merino fleeces. „ .-4

CYCLONIC STORM

SYDNEY, May IS.

There is a cyclonic disturbance on the coast, and it is seriously hamper-: ing New South Wales shipping. A number of vessels are now eagerly making for the nearest ports. £ The cyclone is passing north.