DE GARIS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1925, Page 1

DE GARIS

A POPULAR PRISONER. AUCKLAND, January 21. Clement John De Garis, who was arrested aboard the Alaheno on its arrival from Sydney last week, is one of the most popular of those who have been put in AKount Eden for some years if one is to judge by the number of people who visit and inquire for him.

A number of friends and acquaintances have visited the gaol to have a word with him, and clergymen of several demnominations have made a point of looking him up, possibly because his father was a clergyman. 11l addition, the police and prison authorities have been besieged by representatives of the Australian PreiSs, requesting perm is-* sion to have an interview with the prisoner. Permission for an interview by those unknown to Do Garis lias been refused in all cases, even to a gentleman who stated lie represented an American magafiino and wanted to get u “ story ” from De Garis. It is doubtful if permission for an interview- within the precincts of the goal would avail the Pressmen much, save from a descriptive point of view, for Do Garis, himself a writer of some talent, is stated to have remarked that he was quite aware of the money value in an exclusive story from him to tbc Australian Press, and that ii he thought fit to make any statement regarding his position and adventures he would negotiate lor it himself with the Australian Press. Do Garis has also had mail fairly regularly in the shape of cables from Australia, and he has had a numhci of conferences with the prison censor on the subject of cables to and from him. Apart from the reception to visitors and attending to Ins correspondence, De Garis goes through the usual routine of a prisoner on remand, and devotes a considerable portion of his spare time to reading. There is reason to believe that the waiting rather irks his active temperament, and that, though fit gild well, he is impatient to be away to Melbourne. So far no advice has been received hy the local police of the departure of the Afelhourne escort for the prisoner. anclDe Garis is rather inclined-to feel a sense of injury about the delay, seeing that he had about £375 on him when arrested and that the charge against him involves an amount of only £3OO. Ik argues that the surplus is sufficient To justify the Alagistrate in agreeing to liis offer to pav the expenses of taking ldm hack hy the first boat under a New Zealand escort. AVhcn be comes up for remand to-morrow it is probable that he will again urge that the oiler lie accepted or as an alternative, he may make a strong plea through counsel for bail.

A FURTHER REMAND. AUCKLAND, Jan. 22. C. J. De Garis, of Atelliourne, appeared on remand at the Police Court to-day. . ,ii'-,. Chief Detective Cummings asked ioi a further remand for one week. Prisoner’s counsel. Air Moody, said that no word had boon received Horn the Victorian Police as to whether an escort had left for New Zealand. De Garis hail already been lime days m custody, and there had been ample time for the A’ictorinn Police to sa\ v,lint they intended doing. , .. lie asked for hail, and also that, it printed, it should he reasonable. ~ Counsel repeated the offer that the prisoner was prepared to return 4>> the first boat and pay Ins. own expenses Chief Detective Cummings objected to hail. Do Garis. ho said, had left Australia under a false name r-nd when arrested, had denied lus identity and some of the circumstances suggested a tendency towards suicide. Air Povntou, the Magistrate. said that lie did not think hail should he granted. , .. ... „ Air A foody said the authorities should communicate with the A ictonan 1 Chief Detective Cummings said that Auckland had done that, hut had 10ccived no information. Possibly an escort- would he arriving in AVellington t 0 Mr Moody: “Well. I take it that- as soon as an'escort arrives, the accused will he brought up again.'' Air Povntou: “Of course that 'MI be done.” THE ESCORT COAITNG. MELBOURNE, January 22. Senior-Detective Davey sails from Sydney to-morrow for New Zealand to escort De Garis hack to New Zealand.