RECAPTURE OF WILLIAMS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 438, 25 December 1868, Page 2

RECAPTURE OF WILLIAMS.

On Thursday last, we reported that a man named John Williams or Jones' had been arr 'sted by Detective Lambert, on a charge of stealing watches, jewelry, and other property at Wanganui ; that the stolen property had been recovered, with some skeleton keys which were also in Williams's possession ; ard that Williams had, by a clever rase, managed to escape from custody before he was brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court. Since his escape, the police have kept up a diligent search for the prisoner throughout the district, and they expressed the conviction that, though he might elude their search for a few days, he would inevitably be recaptured. They continued the search persistently, and on Wednesday night they obtained what was believed to" be distinct traces of him. It was ascertained that he had emerged from the bush, where he had been in hiding, and that he proceeded along the beach towards the river. Acting upon this knowledge or belief, Constable Pringle yesterday searched some of the empty houses on the Esplanade, and in Mr Tibby's old house—formerly known as the Westport Hotel—he found some articles of clothing which he believed to belong to the man of whom he was in search. Eelying upon this evidence of the presence of Williams in the neighbourhood, he proceeded to the station for assistance, but posted outside of the building Mr MTlway, painter, to keep watch during his absence. Before he had returned Mr MTlway saw a man come out of the house by one of the back-doors, and immediately seized him. Although altered in his appearance and his attire, he proved to be the prisoner who had escaped, and was at once taken into custody by the police. Williams will only be brought up at the Court here, to be remanded to Wanganui, where the charge against him will be heard. From facts that have been ascertained, it is pretty evident that he was but one of a gang who had visited Westport with the design of executing some extensive work in connection with their own particular profession during the holiday season at Westport, but the arrest of Williams so suddenly after his arrival led to their dispersion before they were able to carry out their intention, even if they had been allowed an opportunity of doing so, and his re-capture, and his very probable conviction at "Wanganui, will, no doubt, give them a wholesome fear of resuming the practise of their art on these parts of the coast.