A GAOL ESCAPADE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11649, 18 August 1916, Page 6

A GAOL ESCAPADE.

PRISONERS ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE. AN EXCITING TIME. Per Press Association, Wellington, Aug. 17. Several prisoners at the Terrace Gaol savagely attacked a warder a lew days ago, placing him hors de combat temporarily, and securing his keys They had passed two or three doors when they were seen by another warder, who gave the alarm, and in the nick of time the would-be escapees were over powered and placed in the cells. The men will appear before the Masistrafe’s Court to-morrow. The incident occurred with dramatic suddenness on Saturday after noon. Three of the men concerned have long sentences, mie of them being reported to be a “Jifer. ” The fourth was only in for a short term, but was induced by the others to join in a conspiracy to secure ,freedcm. ( The four were engaged with others prisoners in a workroom where manufacturing operations are carried on. When the outbreak occurred the latter looked on without interfering. As far as can be gathered, at a preconcerted signal a rush was made on the warder who was supervising operations, and he was struck -a heavy blow on the bead with some improvised weapon, so that he fell senseless to the floor. His keys were then taken from him and a rush was made down stairs to the outer door. The key was fitted into the lock, hut it was also locked oh the.outside, so that the prisoners were foiled. Back up the stairs again they tore in desperate anxiety, and after passing through the inner door endeavoured to get access to another part of the gaol from which they hoped to.make an exit," but the door they had to get through was also double locked, communication from the other side being necessary. AH this, of course could not take place without indications of tumult, and the sounds of disorder were heard in other parts of the gaol. As the attempting flyaways were searching round for the avenues of escape, a number of w'arder-s suddenly broke in and speedily overpowered the cuprits, placing them in special cells. The desperate attempt to secure liberty did not occupy much time, and the warder who had been attacked soon recovered consciousness without showing signs of serious injury!