EXCITING CHASE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 393, 30 November 1932, Page 5

EXCITING CHASE

Our Own Correspondent).

Men identified passing through township of taneatua LOSE POLICE IN HILLS

(From

Opotiki, Tuesday. The first definite traees of the two escaped prisons from Waikeria Prison camp, Arthur Albert Clayton and Graham Wilfred Morton, were picked up to-day at Taneatua, where they were identified when passing through the township in the Chrysler ear which they stole at Okoroire on Monday. The aiarm was immediately given and the men were pursued to Ruatoki, where it was found that they had abandoned the car. Police reinforcements were obtained from Opotiki and Whakatane and the chase led up the Cheddar Yalley, where the men apparently passed over the precipitous Stanley track on the shores of the Ohiwa inlet. Later traces were picked up in the vicinity of Waimana Gorge, where the escapees broke into a house and stole clothing and money, leaving their prison garb behind them. Their tracks were found leading across the Waimana River into the bush, but in spite of an intensive search, they had not be'en located nightMaking for Urewera The two men were recog-nised in Taneatua, speeding for Huatoki, ' where they abandoned the car. They forded the river and pushed into the bush, apparently making for the Urewera country. The Taneatua police chased them and sent out the alarm all through the district, to Taupo, Te Whaiti and Opotiki. Constable Breed, of Opotiki, Constables T. Cumming and F. Johnson, of Whakatane, and Constable B. Donald, of Taneatua, hurried to Waimana, but found the trail cold. They found that the men had doubled back to a point where they wsnt into the Cheddar Valley, and from there back up the Stanley track, a very rough narrow bush track, through which the police had great difficulty in getting the car. When ! they found they could go no further, they returned to Taneatua to meet other police. There they heard of a clue and chased to Opouia, which is this side of Ruatoki. There they found that the escapees had broken into a building. Headed Into Bush They were seen jumping a fence at the dairy factory, and again crossed the river and headed into the bushThe police picked up the trail again at this point. In the meantime, word was received that the men had doubled back and had broken into the house of Mr. G. H. Kirlc, at Waimana Gorge. From the house they stole two suits of clothes, one grey suit and one blue suit, a full set of underclothes, leaving their prison garb. They also ransacked the house, stole 3s 5d in cash, but left £7 in notes which was lying on a table. They also took a leg of mutton, already cooked, bread, butter and other food. Search in Hills The police remained there for a time, when somebody noticed a trail through a hay paddock leading to the river. The men apparently crossed the river and were lost in the hills- The police searched this rugged country until dark when they came back to Waimana, from which place they spread out into parties and will search the country to-night. This country is exceedingly rough and it is believed that the fugitives are heading for the Urewera country, The escapees are displaying great cunning, doubling back on their tracks. They have broken through the police several times, and are showing more than ordinary bush' knowledge. They ' have certainly picked the best place to get lost in the bush without being followed.