A GAOLBIRG'S FLUTTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81844, 11 September 1906, Page 3

A GAOLBIRG'S FLUTTER.

PRISONER TAKES AN AIRING. NONCHALANTLY INSPECTS TIIK TOWN'. Deep tragedy was suggested in the fai l's cf the people un Monday 'i ning, when it became bruited abroad tlial a prisoner had, wit hum so much as "b' your leave," walked oil from Western Park; it elided almost in comedy; bui we anticipate. The piisoner-- we:<■ ready to start work, when a shower came, and they ame in cut of the wet," one of the ward ers Stepping into the s'led with them whilst the other, the senior man of the two, found business elsewhere. One of the |>iis.,iters, named Roberts,;n, obtained permission to "leave the ream," and d:d not plum, preferring tyfcjicep the ~|u > d between tile warder cn guard and himself as he made tracks for the sky line. The novelty of the scene, the unwonted freedom, must have made him reckless, for lie, accosted an o'd man a minute or two afterwards and asked for the loan of a piece of hoopircn, or a coat, or something. Meanwhile the escape was noticed, likewise the escapee, but a shot from Warder Din eon's rifle only hastened his footsteps, and proved he was beyond range. Warder O'Grady gathered in the remainder of his sriuad, and marched them back to the gaol, cat? ing out to Mr Farrar, at the Old People's Home, as lie passed, and asking him to "ring up" the gaol and give the alarm. This was done, and Warder Downs gave hot chase on his bicycle, apparently in the wrongdirection. Warder Dincen meanwhile commandeered a horse, and by this means was enabled to keep the prisoner somewhat in veiw. Robertsen managed to get round the back cf the gaol, and followed the lluatoki, stream down towards the town, after having divested himself of his coat and hat in Mr Webster's grounds. His "arrows" on his trousers he turned next the skin, and set out for freedom, clad in singlet, turned trou sers, boots and stockings. He was seen by many, including some school boys, who followed; but the prisoner was in no mood for attention, and pelted them with st rones, an okl game of his that once got him into trouble. Search parties scoured the district all day, without success, although lie was seen by man}- uninterested in the chase. To Fort Niger he directed his steps at dusk, but was soon routed out when an army of searchers, provided with lights, started to explore. A couple of horsemen saw him on Devon road, near the Henui store, but his searchers were still searching. From there he seems to have made for the town, and was obsrved to change his'mind about entering the Red 1 louse Hotel. Then came the final scene. It has yet to be explained how lie became | possessed of money, but money he had—a pound note. Jn a seeming state of inebriety—where lie got the drink, if he had any, is also a my story—he breasted the counter at Messrs Clarke Bros.' shop in Brougham street, and asked the assistant for a packet of cigarettes. After disputing the amount of his change he strolled into the street, and, leaning against the nearest electric light pole, lighted his cigarette and puffed away ijs nonchalantly as could be wished, surveying the city by electric light and forming the centre of an interest ed group of men, women and child-, rcn. His icy was shortlived. Con-' stable Datson came round th'- corner, and slipped the "darbies" on his wrists. His brief holiday, not too well chosen in point of weather, was over, lie is now in the lock-up, and will come before the magistrate this morning.

Robertson, with a whole string of aliases, is serving a sentence of a couple of years for theft. On 22 oc casions he has been imprisoned, his last term in Australia being four years for theft from the person. It is as well for the peace of mind of our inhabitants, and perhaps for their property, too, that lie is once more in safe custody.