ESCAPE OF TWO PRISONERS FROM THE DUNSTAN LOCKUP.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 47, 21 April 1863, Page 3

ESCAPE OF TWO PRISONERS FROM THE DUNSTAN LOCKUP.

(From the Dunstan Neivs.) Dunstan, 7th April!.

On Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning, a prisoner named T. Hargraves, with an associate, N. Johnston, managed to escape from the custody of the police. From what we can learn, it appears that Hargraves was serving a sentence of three months for theft, and that having conducted himself well during the period of his detention, was permitted to enjoy a considerable amount of freedom ; his term of imprisonment would have expired yesterday, and under such ciicumstances it cannot be wondered at that a less careful watch than is usual was kept upon him. Owing to the crowded state of the lockup, Hargraves was placed in an outbuilding occasionally used for prisoners, but was not secured. During the night he managed to effect a communication with the sentry on duty , and induced him to drink some spirits he had in his possession. Whether the liquor was drugged or not we cannot say, but suffice it that the sentry became in a short time insensible, and that he was quietly [robbed of his gold watch, &c., as also the keys of the lockup. Hargrcwes then appears to have opened the cell in which Johnston was confined, and after liberating him to have broken open the desk containing the money and valuables belonging to the prisoners, and after securing these decamped, in company with his mate. The man Johnston was arrested a few days ago, and fully committed for trial, tor burglariously entering the Bendigo Hotel* An ugly feature in this case is currently reported that a constable had, previous to Hargraves seeing the sentry, been indecing him to drink. Whether this is the case or not we do not know, and therefore refrain from further comment, becauso we have no doubt that for the honor of tho the service, as well as to satisfy tho public mind, an inquiry will be instituted. It is somewhat astonishing that Hargravea should have contented himself -with only releasing Johnston, and should have left the remaining prisoners in durance vile. An impression is abroad that these prisonors wore, to use a slang word, " pals," and that it was more than probable that both wonld be wanted on another charge.