Motor Car Found in King Country

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 375, 8 June 1928, Page 1

Motor Car Found in King Country

REPORTS OF BUCKLEY PRISONER ELUDES CAPTURE (Special to THE SUN) TAUMARUNUI, To-day. It is now thought that the escaped prisoner, John Buckley, is in hiding in the bush near Kakahi. The two-seater Packard motorcar, which was stolen from Omahu Road, Remuera, last Saturday evening, has been found abandoned near a farmhouse at Hikimutu, 14 miles south of Taumarunui. Last evening one police officer left Auckland to drive the car back to the city. The car is not damaged, and appeared to have been abandoned because the petrol had given out. Rumours are current in Taumarunui that the abandoned Packard passed through the toMtoship on Sunday evening. Although nothing definite can be established, it is thought that the escaped prisoner, John Buckley, took the car and abandoned it at Hikimutu, in the King Country. Buckley is said to have relatives at Kakahi. The Taumarunui police and others are searching the district for the prisoner. One night this week a mercer’s shop in Taumarunui was rifled and residents of the town are of the opinion that it was Buckley who committed the offence. A quantity of clothing was stolen from the shop. Buckley was able to drive a motorcar. With a companion he escaped from Mount Eden Gaol on May 25. Bailer, the companion, was recaptured at Shark Bay, Birkenhead, a few days later. The stolen car was the property of Mr. Alfred P. Robinson, of Karaka.