A CHASE AFTER AN ABSCONDER.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 219, 21 September 1870, Page 2

A CHASE AFTER AN ABSCONDER.

The Newcastle correspondent of the Sydney Herald states thai some excitement waa caused here yesterday by a report that tho steam tug Southland had left the harbour in chase of the brig Nil Despera-:dum for the purpose of capturing an absconder from Sydney. On enquiry, I ascertained the following particulars :—The Sheriff's dep'ity afc Maitland had the same ijiorninji rptvijeed from Sydney a writ for the .-lIT. i-t ol" a lild/l il'Mill'll lirl.-i >]•, w'n: Iliul lefl the inu! ropo.i i with the intention ol proceeding

to New Zealand. It was soon ascertained that a man answering the description of Getson had taken a passage on board the Nil Desperandum, which was then several miles out>ide the Heads. Mr. Allen, the deputy-sheriff, at once chartered the Southland, and started in pursuit. The little vessel was put under full steam, but a stiff and favorable breeze enabled the brig to make headway, and she was nearly twenty miles on her voyage before she was overtaken by the tug and boarded by the Sheriff's officers. Then every obstacle was thrown in the way of capture by the master of the brig, and Getson, having shut himself in his cabin, declared his intention of shooting the first man who entered. Finding that it was impossible to effect a capture, the officers were compelled to retire on board the tug and return to Newcastle without their man. I am informed that steps will be at once taken to arrest Getson on his arrival in New Zealand.