WARDER AND POLICE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 182, 3 August 1944, Page 6

WARDER AND POLICE

COMMENDED BY JUDGE

COURAGE AXD EFFICIENCY

When the prisoner Maxfield, who recentlv escaped from Auckland gaol, was sentenced to-day for. the offance, Mr. Justice Fair publicly. acknowledged the energy and courage of Warder William J. Oates in his attempt to recapture the -prisoner. The warder, he said, would probably have succeeded in apprehending the escapee at the time but for the latter getting into a motor car. Even then the warder had taken a great risk of injury in trying to get into the moving car. Such conduct deserved recognition.

His Honor added that in connection with the later apprehension of Maxfield he wished to express appreciation of the coolness and daring of Detective Roughan, who had been accompanied by Detective-Sergeant Aplin and Detective Rossitor. In making the arrest Detective Roughan had been threatened with a loaded revolver at a distance of a few feet, but had showed coolness,. steadiness and the highest courage in making the arrest.

Such conduct as he , had commended, added his Honor, was such as he had known to be exhibited regularly by the officers of the police and prisons departments. He wished to publicly express his appreciation of the high efficiency shown by the members of both departments.