ESCAPED PRISONERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24424, 9 October 1940, Page 6

ESCAPED PRISONERS

TWO ELABORATE CAMPS DISCOVERY IN BUSH FOURTH MAN ARRESTED (Per United Press Association) * AUCKLAND. Oct. 8. The discovery of two camps in the bush off the road to Karekare, on the West coast beyond Titirangi. was made this morning by the police’following the arrest at 6 . a.m. of the fourth escaped prisoner. David Fraser Watson, aged 2'l. a seaman and labourer, serving 18 months’ reformative detention for arson. Watson was found by Superintendent J. Cummings. Sub-in-spector Hall, and, Detective Turgis in a' clearing in the bush about 100 yards off the road leading to Karekare, about two miles and a-half, from a wellknown seaside resort. The police party, headed by Superintendent Cummings, left Auckland about 3 o’clock this morning- and searched the bush at 0 o’clock. They were going along the road when Superintendent Cummings sighted Watson behind bushes in a clearing. ; Watson was walking towards the police party, and; when called on to stop, called out. It’s a fair cop." He was held by Superintendent Cummings and Sub-in-spector Hall and handcuffed by, a constable. Well Equipped mid Supplied About 100 yards away the polio* found a pile of blankets and a tent which was not erected, also a box containing food and tobacco. ... Four hundred, vards further in the bush a wellestablished camp was discovered. Thrown across two manuka poles whs a green canvas motor van cover with two mica windows. This was covered, bv fern leaves to hide the camp from view..

The supplies found .inside the catrip filled two police cars. There were two tent covers, four large suit cases packed with goods, four kerosene boxes-'filled with tinned food, small sacks of flour, oatmeal, cornflakes, candles, matches, and tobacco, etc. • importable Radio Set

Also installed :n the camp was' .a modern five-valve portable radio set, the leads of which were attached, to a six-volt motor car battery set in perfect order, and before dismantling it the police listened in to a IYA programme coming through at loud volume.

The police told a reporter there was reason to believe the three escaped prisoners arrested yesterday- had also been in the camp.

Watson was brought to the Central Police Station wearing flannel trousers, a while sweater, an old . black,..coat, white - tennis sho’es, and was. hatless. He Was riof fn the'samd ‘goon 6bn’djlipp as the ether escapees, and immediately after a. good, breakfast of bacon - ' and eggs rolled himself up in ’blankets‘in the police cell and went to sleep.