NEGLIGENCE SOMEWHERE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1919, Page 9

NEGLIGENCE SOMEWHERE.

CRIMINAL LUNATIC AT LABGE

Nome two years ago Constable Armour .affected a. very elcvnr arrest of a notorious criminal named Christie, who had stolen a motor-cycle in Wellington and ridden it to Patea. On the journev from Wellington to Auckland Christie affected a sensational escape from the train at Penrose Junction, but was recaptured a few days later. Previous to this he had jumped overboard from the steamer Maori in Lyttelton harbor and was at large for some time. Latterly he was otclared a mental defective and was transferred to the Auckland Mental Hosfilal. For some unexplained reason, although declared to be an habitual criminal, during: the past 18 months Christie lias been allowed to make frequent, visits ito Auckland. One such visit was made on Wednesday, and the same day the j disappearance of a motor-car left stand. [ mg in Elliott Street, was reported to the [police. Nothing further was heard until Thursday, when in response to an advertisement for a motor-car body, Christie made his appearance at the garage and offered the stolen car for sale. He , stated that he had no use for the body of his car, but wished to convert the engine for use on a lorry. Accordingly a sale was agreed upon, and Christie a! range* to call on Friday for the spart parts and the cheque. In the meantima, however, the proprietor of the garage, becoming suspicions, leomrmmicated with the police, with the result that when Christie called for the money on Friday morning he was met by Detective de Norville." The esw.pee then admitted having taken the car from Elliott Street, and said that ;t;'ter he had stolen it he had concealed it in a shed which lie rented in Union Street. He was arrested by the detective, taken back to Avondal'e, and handi (1 over to the Mental Hospital authori. ties.

CAPTIVE ONCE MORE .ESCAPES. After the police had left, however, an unexpected incident occurred. It is said' that the prisoner, stating that he was in need of food, was taken into the hospital kitchen. Then, taking advantage of the attendant's momentary absence from the room, Christie, made away, and has not been heard of since. It has Deen suggested that he made his escape ny means of a skeleton key, as one such key was recently taken from him.

According to tl\3 official description. Christie is 28 years of age, sft 7in in height, with fresh complexion and dark Ibr wn hair. He lias two sears, uu« ,?- '.r-.g behind the left ear and the other on the chin. ■ When last seen he Avas wearing a dark suit anl a tweed cap. . This is Christie's sixth attempt to eioape from custody, and it is stated tiiat he has cost the Justice Department hundreds of pounds. Being, officially, t,» defective mind, he is not liable to Court proceedings in respect to his actions.

It is evident that there has been gross negligence somewhere, as a man with Christie's record should have been specially guarded.