SOUTHLAND SENSATION

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1928, Page 3

SOUTHLAND SENSATION

BORSTAL YOUTHS’ EXPLOIT.

By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright

INVERCARGILL. April 5

’Two practically -simultaneous escapes from the Borstal Institution occurred at about 10 o’clock on Thursday morning. and in spite of the efforts ol the warders and police, the escapees are still at large. The two escapees concerned are:Herbert AluxTield. aged 18. height oft. din., medium build, sallow complexion. brown hair, grey brown eyes. He is scarred on the lore and i ing fingers of the right band,, on the left thumb, and also on the right knee. He was sentenced at the Wellington Supreme Court on July 10th. 1925 to three years at the Borstal for theft. The other is Charles Newman, aged 1 7. i years, height ."If. Tin., medium build, dark complexion, dark brown hair, brown eyes. He is scarred on and above the left knee. He was sentenced at Christchurch Alagistrate s Court on January 9th. 1920. to three vears at the Borstal tor theft. It appears that the escape was preconceived between Afaxfield and Newman, as they wore working at the time at widely-separated places. Alnxfiold had been working on the prison fatm. but lie was placed under report, and was escorted away by an officer. ATuxficld. however, escap'd 1 from the officer. crossed the retaining wall and dived into the estuary. Tim officer return- ; ed to the. Institute to report, but in the meantime, word had been received that Afaxfield bail broken into the residence of Air Ale Ketone. No of, Hensley Si., and bad stolen a suit, ol clothes. These be put oil. and lie left Ids prison clothes, with the exception of bis Loots, behind him in the bathroom.

Nothing has been heard ol him since hut the authorities suspect that he is in possession of a firearm. Information was then given to the Superintendent that Newman was intending to escape at the same time, and the Superintendent, accordingly, despatched an officer to Atarara, whore Newman was working in the bush. When tbe officer despatched from the institution arrived there, the party was mustered and it was immediately discovered that Newman was missing.

It was later reported that Afaxfield had obtained the suit of civilian clothes with the help of a revolver. Airs McKenzie, who, with her husband, lives at 51, Hensley Street, was in the kitchen when she heard a noise, as if an intruder was in the house. She called a neighbour. Afr Fleming, nlio went in to investigate, while she. remained outside. On entering the bouse Air Fleming was met with a cure “Hands up!” He found himself confronted by a young man with a revolver. This is said to have been Afaxtield, who then locked Fleming in one of the rooms, while lie helped himself to a suit of Air AleKenzio’s clothes. He also took a pair of boots, but in his hurry to escape, he was obliged to drop them. He succeeded, however, in making his escape, bclore the winders arrived. The Borstal Superintendent and police were notified by telephone at 5.30 on Thursday night that a suspicious looking character answering to tiie description of Newman, had been seen at Otatara and a party was immediately sent out to scour the bush, but no arrest Ims yet been made.

The other escapee: Herbert Afaxfield. commandeered a motor cycle Hensley Street at six o'clock on I litirsilay evening, after biding all the day in a patch of scrub. The motor, however, would not start, and Alnxlieltl. who was pursued by the warders, threw il aside and made good bis escape on loot.

Nothing further was hoard -ol him until this morning, when word was received that he had been seen at Kenningtnn at 5.30 a.ill. in difficulties with a Dodge touring ear. and bad been assisted to repair the damage by a resident, who did not know who he was. Alnxfiold stole two old number plates from till- bouse of hi- helper, and set off in a northerly direction on tho main road.

A cordon of warders and police are posted along the reads in the district north of Gore.

Later advice was received Unit Afaxficld hail been seen near Afntnura. and that his capture is liourlv expected. .MAKES FOR OPEN COUNTRY'. "IN.VKRCARGII.tL. April 5.

The latest about tilt? Borstal escapees is that at 2 p.in. fa-day the police received word from Dunedin anil Bnlclutha, stating tlmt the car In which Afaxfield had been seen at Kenn ing ton, had crushed into a bridge at Bnlclutha. and was then lying smashed on a bridge.

Alaxfit-ld is said to have presented a revolver at the head of the driver of another ear. which also collided with the bridge tbrougb .',V erratic driving ,d" tlie escapee. Alavsyld was last seen on loot, making towards the open country between Balelutba and Alilfon. Tt is believed that Newman is still in tbc vicinity of Invercargill.