Escaped Convict Surrenders.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1922, Page 4

Escaped Convict Surrenders.

FAI?MHOUSE COMEDY. . NEWPORT, Isle of Wight, Xov 1. Wiiliam Mason, the convict wlio escaped froin Camp Hill Prison on Sunday night disguised in the prison chaplain’s clothes, ended his freedom voluntarily at ten o’clock this morning. While Mr T. A. Cleaver, of Great Duxmoor Earn), and his cowman were working in the farmyard a man walked up to them and said : ‘‘Give ns a drink of milk, farmer.” “We have no milk,” replied Mr Cleaver, who, noticing that the man was wearing a clerical hat, said: “You are the wanted man.” “1 ain," admitted Mason. “You will have to chuck it up,” said Mr ('leaver. “All right, ] will,” agreed Mason. “But f want something to drink.” Mr Cleaver took Mason to his house and offered him lieer and . whisky. “No. I’ve had enough of (hat sort of stuff; give me some milk,” said -Mason, who before escaping stole some whisky and rum. Warm milk was given him. COLT) FEET. Mason talked freely about his escapade and said he gave himself up because' of cold feet. When he raided the doctor’s and chaplain’s quarters he took a good supply of clothing and n pair of slippers hut no boots. “That wtfs a had slip,” lie commented, “for my feet got so cold while T was lying in that chalk pit that T could not stand il any longer. I went into the chalk pit on Monday morning and have been there ever since.

"Yesterday T got a big scare. T heard a great cracking of whips and harking of dogs and "then a pack of hpitnds ran through the pit close by mo, but I was close under the furze and they did not see me.”

The pit referred to lies within a few hundred yards of Duxmoor Farm, and the hounds he saw were the Isle of Wight foxhounds, which chased a fox through the pit. Duxmoor Farm occupies a lonely position in'a valley between livde and Arreton. ■ DIGUE IX A CAP.

Mr Cleaver drove Mason to Newport Police Station in his wagonette. Mason sat between Mr Cleaver and the cowman and wore a cap given him by the farmer instead of the clerical wideawake. On the way they wore greeted by several people who had not the slightest idea of Mason’s identity. This amused him not a little. Just before Mason was handed over to the police he was asked : “Where is the famous clerical hat?” “Here it is,’’ he replied, with a broad grin, as lie put it on his head and smiled. Asked if he drank all the liquor that he took, Mason said,_“No,” and made a gesture indicating distaste. “I drank half, a bottle : the rest T have left for other travellers.” EARLY RELEASE “TALE.”

"Why did you break out when you were on the eve of being sot at liberty?” was another question. “Oh, they told me that tale last April,” he answered. “1 didn’t know until 1 learned of it since giving myself up that T was to be released so soon, and T don’t believe it.” >

After Ala son arrived at the police station he was given a'meal of soup, meat, and vegetables, which he much appreciated. He said he picked the lock of his cell door with a penknife and found it a “slow job.”