POLICE IN CHASE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 48, 19 May 1927, Page 1

POLICE IN CHASE

Man Thought to be Prisoner Who Escaped Two Years Ago

POSSES SEARCH IN DENSE BUSH

IN 300 acres of dense native bush at Waerenga, near Te Kauwhata, a posse of police, under Sergeant J. T. Cowan, of Pukekohe, is searching for a man believed to have escaped from Auckland two years ago. All last night, in torrential rain, the police camped in the open. They saw the man disappear into the dense bush late yesterday afternoon.

Two years ago a prisoner from the Mt. Eden Gaol became ill and was sent to the Auckland Hospital for treatment. One day, when he was convalescing, he obtained permission to go shopping in Auckland. That was the last the authorities saw of him, but it is now believed that he has been traced. The prisoner was Archibald Andrew Scott. He left the Auckland Hospital on May 27, 1925, and completely disappeared. Throughout the two years the police have not relaxed their vigilance and a close watch has always been kept on any suspicious people. During the last few months many farm houses in the outlying districts of Pukekohe have been raided, principally for food. The police became suspicious of a man who lived rather mysteriously and gradually those suspicions became confirmed. Yesterday morning the mysterious man disappeared, and Constable G. N. Douglas, of Mercer, and Constable S. O’Donnell, of Pukekohe, set out in pursuit, following up a clue which had

been given them. At 3.30 o’clock yesterday afternoon Sergeant Cowan and Constable L. M. Allen, of Pukekohe, and Constable A. J. Maiden, of Tuakau, set out for Waerenga by motor-car to join the others. The fugitive was on horse-back and was seen to be making for the hill country and the bush. When the rough country was reached the police were forced to abandon their motorcar and to proceed on foot or on horseback. The fugitive’s abandoned horse and swag were found late yesterday afternoon, and later still he was seen to disappear into the dense native bush at Waerenga. It was impossible to do anything in the dark and the police camped out all night. At 6.30 o’clock Sergeant Cowan said that torrential rain had fallen all night and that no trace of the fugitive had been seen. The search is being continued to-day,-but as the country is rough and difficult of access, it may be some time before the man is found. The fugitive is without food and may give himself up. Scott, the man who is believed to be the fugitive, was serving a sentence of two years’ imprisonment for theft at Pukekohe. Waerenga is a farming district 62 miles from Auckland, and 40 miles from Hamilton. It is reached by rail to Te Kauwhata. ,