RECAPTURED

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1931, Page 6

RECAPTURED

TWO ESCAPED MAORIS, LONG LIST OF CHARGES PENDING. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) ROTORUA, June 15. After trailing two escaped Maoris from Tepuke, where they picked the lock of the lock-up cell last Thursday, a police party ran them to earth at Dr Raynor's house at Lake Rotoiti, late last night. They captured them hiding in a small room, and brought them to Rotorua shortly a Her m idnight. The two men are Wi Pori and George Aukaua Ropeta. They stole a car at Rotorua last Tuesday, and made for Paengaroa, where they entered a store and stole a safe and goods. They were arrested a few hours later on a lonely road near Teteko, with the stolen goods' in their possession, and were remanded at the Tepuke Magistrate’s Court. Later on, they escaped at midnight, by picking the lock of the gaol cell. The Rotorua police believed that the men were making for Rotorua, and a close watch was kept. Their trail was picked up at Okere, where the two slept in a bach, and decamped after damaging the fittings and stealing an overcoat. The police picked up their trail on Saturday on a foot track leaving Mourea to Rotoiti. They followed them on Saturday night to a house belonging to Dr fßaynor on the shores ot .Lake Rotoiti which is at present un-

occupied. Yesterday at daylight, the Maoris took to the bills, where they watched the road for signs of pursuit. They txpectod to see a police car, but a private nip tor was used, and the trackers were able to reconnoitre the position. At nightfall yesterday, the •Maoris returned to the house to spend their last night there; before pushing on for the bush country of the Ureuera. 'They could not travel fast, owing to one of them being Tame, and through their need of care to avoid detection.

'They ransacked the house, tearing away the bed, linen, curtains, and packing up the best rugs and blankets to carry to their next hiding place. The wardrobes were, opened, and the contents of the drawers were thrown about the house. The Maoris also sampled, boxes of expensive cigars. They drank every bottle of champagne and wine in the house. After dark, the police party, accompanied by the traffic Inspector, Mr Ford, and Messrs .Emery, Morrison and Nichols, left Rotorua in a car for Rotoiti. They crept through tangled scrub across the country to the house. The night was dark, and heavy rain was falling, making the journey a difficult and at times a dangerous one. The searchers were afraid to show -a fight for fear of frightening the Maoris, who were then in the house preparing for an early start.

Finally the building was surrounded. 'Three of the policemen entered, leaving four men outside, lhe Maoris were discovered hiding in a small room, and they were arrested without difficulty. Doth were brought to Rotorua and were placed .in the lock-up, handcuffed together. Wi Fori and George Ropeta stood in the dock at the Magistrate’s Court this morning to answer a charge of being incorrigible rogues in that they

escaped from the TV puke Lock-up. Senior-Sergeant Carroll asked for a

remand till to-morrow, as both accused had been arrested only a. few hours previously, and several other charges were pending. The /Magistrate, Mr l’atirson, agreed. Numerous charges are now to bo answered bv the ‘two, including the tlielt of the car ; breaking, entering and theft from the I’aeiigaroa store ; escaping custody; and breaking and entering at Rotoiti.