GAOL-BREAKER RE-CAPTURED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1810, 6 April 1918, Page 3

GAOL-BREAKER RE-CAPTURED.

. AT HIMATANGI. AN ALL NIGHT VIGIL. George Funnell, alias Parker, who was serving 14 days’ imprison-, men! in the Wanganui prison for theft committed at Wanganui on March 7th, broke gaol on the night of March 11th. He broke two locks in the passage-way of the gaol, and escaped through the back door, when sentenced, an order was made that on completion of same prisoner was to be handed over to the military authorities, he being a deserter under the Military Service Act, and it was in order to try and dodge service with the New Zealand Forces that decided Funnell to make his bid for freedom. He got clear away from the gaol, and his whereabouts were unknown to the police until this week. Funnell was known to be on very friendly terms with a young woman in Palmerston North, and it was through this that Constable O’Donoghue traced the fugitive. The lady in question, who the prisoner, rightly or wrongly, claims to be his wife, was known to have made several trips of late to Himatangi, and this circumstance led the police to believe that her peramour was in that locality. The necessary steps were taken to watch the woman’s movements, and as a result Constable O’Donoghue received advice that she left the train at Himatangi on Wednesday night. Constable O’Donoghue communicated with Palmerston North, and Constable Gow was told off to assist the local policeman, on the manhunting expedition, which was to commence on Thursday morning. The police arrived at Himatangi shortly after eight o’clock on Thursday morning, and being under the impression that they would have no difficulty in laying their man by the heels'within a few hours, made no provision for refreshing the inner man. On arrival at Himatangi a reconnoitre of the country was made, but no trace of the fugitive could be found. The police had to be careful not to alarm their man, and kept to the cover of the lupins as much as possible. A drizzly rain commenced to fall, and added to this the fact that they had nothing to eat since a very light breakfast, made their task anything but a pleasant one. About 4 o’clock in the afternoon they struck the first clue, the escapee’s lady friend was seen doing some washing at a house in the neighbourhood. The two searchers had a consultation, and decided to wait until dark, and then raid the house, but shortly afterwards they altered their plans on seeing Funnell emerge from the house, carrying a billy and a bundle of clothing. He made for some lupiris about 200 yards away, and disappeared therein. A little later a column of smoke coming from the direction in which the man disappeared gave the watchers an indication of his camping place. It was decided to wait until dark before making a raid on the camp, and in the meantime the searchers made themselves as comfortable as their wet clothing and inward feeling of emptiness would allow. When the shades of night had fallen it was found increasingly difficult to locate the camping ground, as the fire lit earlier in the evening had gone out. The policemen slowly and carefully closed in on their prey, but owing to the very thick growth of lupins •their task was difficult, as any undue noise was likely to alarm the campers. About 3 o’cdock in the morning there was light in the darkness, the campers’ fire being again lit, and from the light of this the police were able to approach close jo the camp. Constable O’Dopoghqe arived first, and whilst awaiting for hi,s mate to come up before making a raid, Funnell made his appearance from the, interior of the camp, remarking to hip lady love, “I’ll boil the billy, now, dear.” He stooped down to pick up the billy, when Constable O’Donoghne made a bound and seized him. Thp suddenness of the attack brought forth a wild yell ‘ from *' Funnel, which eopld be heard a' mile'off, followed by a scream from'the frightened female. Constable Gow was quickly on the scene, but the prison-, er made qo resistance whlUey^J', recognising'thaj.'jßp gipnc was qp. He was in his night attire, and the police stood'hy.whilst he effected 0 change into garments suitable fop outdoor wear. . The. yopng woman signified her intention of going bayß to hep home in Palmerston Hmffh by the jnorping, drain. ; The prisoner -was hrOughrihto Foxton, the juorney being a somewhat tedious .one, as,Hie police only had one bicycle, and had to lake turn about riding the bicycle and walking with the prisoner. Funnell was escorted by Constable Gow to Palmerston North, and was taken on to Wanganui,