AUCKLAND SENSATION

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1925, Page 1

AUCKLAND SENSATION

an ASTONISHING -STORY. [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] AUCKLAND, September 12. The escaped prisoners. Brasting and w’lJrien. were recaptured early this afternoon at Pigeon Mountain, Howiclc. Constable Kennedy, of Howiek. reported that he was certain the men were in that vicinity, and the police worked throughout last night, amt found signs that led them unerringly to Pigeon Mountain. The hill was encircled. Three civilians reported that they had seen smoke on the. lop, anti, with Constable Kennedy, went up the hill and found the two escapees sitting in a depression near the top ol the hill calmly reading a newspaper. I li'-ir arrest was speodilv etlecled. and tie men are now in Mount Eden Prison. AUCKLAND, September Id.

The doings of the two men. Brasting ajid O'Brien, since their sensational escape compose an astonishing story ol resinm-efulnoss, daring and i rust rated plans. A desperate attempt to Hoe tiehind in a small row-boat, titled with an auxiliary engine, received aid and connivance from more than one Irioml and abettor, and was only deleated by the astute foresight and vigorous intervention of detectives.

Having made good their escape about 10.110 o’clock on Wednesday night, the prisoners’ immediate aim seems to have been to lay hands on a boat and put to sea. Both men are

aieiisinmed to the water. Brasting expeeiallv, being a good yachtsman and resourceful in handling any kind ol boat. During the first two days of their liberty, the prisoners were known lo he in hiding at North Shore, as eimiiingly-plaeed police pickets interrupted messages that passed between Diem and their accomplices. The knowledge possessed by the detectives of their movements. constituted, in fact, a remarkable feature ol the pursuit from tie lime it i-umim-mcj until the li mi I scene in the drama at Pigeon Mountain. Ernie the messages that

came into the possession oi the police, it became ct id. -ii t that a dash would Is- made from some point oil North Shore between Devonport and Birkenhead. Die object being to call in at one of the bays, or inlets in the neighbourhood ol lamaki River, lor the purpose of obtaining (he food and provisions necessary for a >ea voyage. A close watch was set on Raugitoto (Tnumel and Waiheke Passage, lest the fugitives' should elude a trap that was Leiiig prepared for them, and gain the safety of the open sen. The precaution proved liiiiieressary, however, as the prisoners did not change their minds. JuM when dusk approached m l-'riday evening, the two men put iff stealthily, and slipped down the harbour under cover ot the gathering larkuess. Il was hoped by the police Dull they would fall ijnu the trap ihal was set for them, but, they chose nr their landing place a I each that iad not hcen pal rolled, and the pur-

ueis. who were waiting in another inei, Were baulked o! their prey. On

adding, t lie first ai l ot the prisoners va- to break into a number ol Bijckaml Beach collages at presonL vacant or the winter. By these means they -eeured a. leather trunk containing a [uantitv ol clothing and blankets that vould be valuable on a prolonged sea ■nvage. Tin- trunk was carried to heir boat and il wa- recovered by the Milne wben I bey |eok | ol the essi-l later ill the evening. One of he cottages jn the neighbourhood vhose occupants are in ai-Uial re.si--1 ell- i- Da- hott-e ol Mrs I.ail'd, who

- ill presell I living there with two •hildivn. Till- I; 1111 iI v was :11 slipper lioni IJ [i.iii.. when olio ol tin* children

icitt'd a in j i so, am! oiillihl out that In.■re wav vomooiio in the hmiso. Mrs .ail'll iII ■ 11 1 .'Ol I up aml Has ill -1 in tune o soo the figure *>l a man ihivli mil ol lio linin'. \'orv inlli'h perturbed, sho

iiailo invc-tigal ions ol every rnoiil Inti omul nothing missing, lull a bag of ■lioiola (OS. A soan-li I'or fooil hail tail-

15 y this tiino an alarm hail been riven ami the watohoi'x wore in hot iiiiviiit. Tho fugitives inailo lor I’ig- ■ oii .Mountain, whioh is a troo-toppoil ■ mini'iico ooininaiiilino a niagililiiviit ,iow of tho harhinir and Iho siirroundliir i mint rysido. Though holly pross- • d they gained their objective and Aoro completely lost in tho thick growth. As tho night was far advan•od and H was oxi'OOlod ilia! they would iry lo make a dash tor the more open country, a cordon was plnoi'd round tho hill and a watch "as sot at Taioaki to prevent their esonpo should they succeed in getting through the ring of watchers. If proved to tie an all-night vigil in which lain and a cold wind added to the discomfort of the watchers and the watched. The former comprised two const aides and Delect ives O'lirioii. .Voider, O’Snlliian. and Meiklejnhu. The fact that this party was obliged In dispense with meals did not improve the unplea •aulnoss ol the experience. ( unstable Kennedy in iiartieular went without iood tor a day and a ttighi. The fugitives were evidently etiscoiieed ni a hollow or dip at the very summit of the hill, and they were not seen all id hi. Lights in the neighbouring cot laces and occasional glimpses <>l lighted pocket-torches would acquaint them that They were surrounded and would deter them from making a sortie. The day broke and the prisoner-' still lav low. It Was expected that I hey would -In ii > heinselvess " bum [heir position seemed hopeless, hut no vien was civ,-n of tlieir intention to sin - render. The morning was half gone when a wisn of smoke curled up from ihe summit, and as this was taken as an indication on the part o! the ittgilives to make themselves comfortable and hold out. the watcher- decided to

do-e in on the summit. A signal was jrjvcii and the watcher.- eivpt stealthily up tlie hill-ide. The cordon was narrowing as it approached the -unimit. KiU'li man was alert and prepared to meet violence, hut they could have spared themselves anxiety. I heir men were taken completely hv -surprise. Constable Kennedy was the first to reach the top and on looking into the hollow, lie saw the two prisoners -n----tinj; down engaged in reading a copy of Friday's "Herald," containin'- an account of their escape from the cell-. Both men submiUed quietly to arrest. Thev were hungry and exhausted from

exposure and lack ot -leep. The attire oi the men when captured was different from that in which they escaped. They wore white woollen jersey- open at the neck, and white yachting caps.