FIVE PRISONERS ESCAPE

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28010, 3 July 1956, Page 12

FIVE PRISONERS ESCAPE

MEN REMANDED ON ROBBERY CHARGE

ROTORUA CITIZENS JOIN POLICE IN SEARCH

(New Zealand Press Association) ROTORUA. June 2. Five men remanded in the Rotorua Magistrate’s Court this morning on a charge of robbing Dr. Archibald Blair of about £6O and with using personal violence against him escaped Irom a cell at the Rotorua Police Station this evening. They are William James Rawhiti. aged 22, a handyman, of Pukekohe; David Basil Parkinson, aged 22, a bulldozer driver, of Pukekohe; Anthony Peter Hoerara. aged 20. a workman, of the East Coast; Kiripai Martin Hamilton, aged 19. a mill hand, of Mangakino; and Pahau Kira Hemopa, aged 18. a mill hand, of Rotorua. When Constable R. W. Wicksted, on watchhouse duty at the station, opened the door of one of the cell blocks to make a routine check at 7.20 p.m. the five prisoners made a concerted rush, pushed him over in the muddy yard, and escaped. Very soon after the alarm was given, road blocks were put down at all outlets from the town. The radio was alerted and gave calls at regular intervals, and the power supply •authorities agreed to leave the street lights on all night. Ten constables were summoned to duty, and the police office was besieged with offers "'f help. Vigilante grouns combed the streets on their own initiative.

Just after 8 p.m. one man. a block and a half away from the police station, was counting his takings for the day at the back of the premises where he is employed when he saw a man in the shadow of the room. When he challenged him the man vanished.

A* a late hour, no further reports had been received of the escapers.

Asking for a remand at the Court hearing this morning, DetectiveSergeant W. H. Sharp said that Dr. Blair was in hospital and would be there for some weeks.