How Kirby Escaped.

Manawatu Herald, 11 July 1896, Page 2

How Kirby Escaped.

William Herbert Johnson, second officer of the Talune, deposed in the ' charge, heard on Wednesday in Wellington, against William Basaett for having assisted ex-Detective Kirby to escape, that he recognised the accused as a steerage passenger on the voyage to Sydney which began on Wednesday, 27th May. On the first day oat accused went to him and told him that he had lo3t a portmanteau, and asked permission to look for it down the hatch. Witness agreed to allow accused to look down the hatch. Accused told him his name was Lewis. When the accused went down after the luggage witness went with him. Two portmanteaux were found, but accused said that neither belonged to him. The same day they made another search, and again accused said h'l3 portmanteau was not there. Later on during the voyage the tarpaulins were taken off the hatch, but witness could not say whether the hatches were taken off. The cargo wag discharged at Sydney under the supervision of the police. A large packing case was found smashed, having apparently been broken by some sacks of grain falling Against it through the rolling of the

vessel. There were two means of access to the hold — one down the hatch, and the other through two trap-doors behind the pantry. The trap-doors were always kept padlocked. Cross-examined by Mr Wilford— Witness was with accused the whole time he was down the hold. Accused made no attempt to open a case. The packing-case which the Sydney police took charge of wae marked : -" Lewis— glass ; this side up." Re-examined -The keys of the trap doors leading into the luggagehold were hung on a nail in the chief officer's cabin. The door of that cabin was not kept locked. A person using the keys could be seen by anyone in the ship's bar.