KNOX, THE ESCAPED CONVICT.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 239, 25 January 1898, Page 2

KNOX, THE ESCAPED CONVICT.

AN EXCITING CHASE AT HUNTLY. At 7.30 o'clock on Sunday morning, Knox, the escaped prisoner, was seen and identified entering Harris' Hotel, Huntly. Information was at once sent to the local constable, Mr White, who immediately set about prisoner's capture. During the very biicf conversation Knox had with those who recognised him he stated that he would " never be taken alive." It was thought by his general demeanour that he was fully prepared for any " emergency." When the prisoner saw the constable makiue; for him, he r»t once made for his horse, but being hotly pursued by Constable White he thought it better to push on, and after continuing for awhile along the railway line, turned down by the school house, and thence through Mr Fisher's hedge. Here the dense scrub completely baffled the pursuers, and it turned out that the prisoner had run a considerable distance along the river bank towards Mr Moreu's slaughter yards, where he lay concealed for a couple of hours without being seen. Eveutual'y he enlisted the services of a youth to fetch his horse, tor whieli he paid a lew shillings, but the lad informed the police of his hiding place Upoi> Constable White Hearing the spot prisoner came out, no doubt thiuking that it was the youth with his horse, but on discovering his mistake, the prisoner, with the agility of a weasel, retired into the scrub, and despite every effort of the constable and those assisting him, eluded capture. Upon enquiries being made, it transpired that Knox for several weeks had been working as cook for Hill Bros., Matahura Valley. He hid m.ide several visits to Huntly, purchasing articles at Friar an 1 D ivies' store, and drinking at Smith's hotel. Nobody in the district knew the prisoner till accosted by Mr Jas. Dairy, of the Government Insurance Department. There is no doubt, now that Constables White and Brady (of Ngaruawahia) are on his trail, that this dangerous young man will be once more safely incarcerated in Mount Eden Gaol. —(A Correspondent).