Johnston Captured.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 7 March 1890, Page 2

Johnston Captured.

A ONE HUNDRED AND BIXTY MILS CHASE. After all the varying rumours Johnston has turned up in a locality that has been kept quiet by the police, though they knew he wag in that direction. Yesterday Con' stable Stacey, of IJunterril!«, followed him up the Turakina Biver to McLean's, reaching there shortly after 10 a.m. Johnston had been there just before him, and asked' for matches and Friday's Hbbald, evidently with the desire of seeisg what we had said of his escape. He wai dressed in a dark t*eed suit, and had evidently plently of food obtained ' from the Maoris, as he did not aik for any at the farm: Constable Stacey was only a few minutes be* hind him, but Johnston by this time got into the scrub, and tht search that commenced then wa i not concluded till 8 p.m., when the i constable secured his man, who was this morning brought into goal by the 11.35 train from Fordell.

CONTABLE BTACEY. had a rough time of it hunting for the prisoner. Huntejvill* being outside the radius of telegraphic or telephonic communication, it was 'only by accident that ha heard of the escape and on Monday he pro* ceeded to the Turakioa Biter, and reached Mr E. McGregor's farm at 12.30. He observed his man ftp* proaohing him, but when Johnston saw him he dived into the bush, Stacey being too far off to use hit revolver. Discarding his uniform, which had given the escapee the clv , and borrowing a suit of clothes he returned to Turakina (20 miles) and telegraphed to the police here. On his return he scoured the country for footprints, having taken particular notice of Johnston's, and was on the alert all night. On Tuesday morn* ing he picked up the track near the residence of Mr Bruce, M.H.8., when he found that Johnston was i making back by the route he had gone. This was at daybreak. The constable followed him up till within 18 miles of the Waaganui Bridge, where he lost the tracks, Johnston having taken to the rough country. Got information there that the prisoner had been seen #n a hilt towards the Jbridge, whioh Staeey reached about sunset. He went down the river with a Maori, and at 8 p.m. found Johnston in an emp'y house belonging to Mr D. Cameron, where he evidently intended putting up for the night Johnston waa lying down, but came out to meet the constable, and said— "l knew it was you, but I am baked." Two natives assisted him, lending him a horse for the prisoner to crostfihe river, and shewing him the short cut to Fordell, where th'ty stayed^ last night. Altogether, Constable, Stacey travelled about 160 miles after Johnston, and, as raaj be imagined, both he and his horse are knocked up, JOHNSTON SATS he left town on Sunday night, having knocked about here till then, sleeping out each night. He refused to say where he got his clothes, but acknowledged ha was at the MaaoniotHoHl on Saturday night, and got 4 2g Wosh of whiskey. When arrested he told Stacey he was glad he had oomt, %s he could not have gone further, being done npi He had bo food mill him.