ESCAPED PRISONER CAPTURED

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 100, 27 April 1912, Page 5

ESCAPED PRISONER CAPTURED

DISCOVERED AT OHARIU. MAKING FOR THE RAILWAY. John Lewis, the prisoner who escaped from the gaol works at Mount Cook on Thursday afternoon was captured thismorning at Ohariu, near Johnsonville, and about ten miles from Wellington. Lewie, who had been sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment on 17th April, and was declared an habitual criminal, was employed with other prisoners at the brickworks, at Mount Cook. By means of a plank used for stacking bricks, he was enabled to scale a. corrugated iron wall, and dash for the open. The sentry c-u duty saw the prisoner and fired hia gun at him. Afi soon as the alarm was given the prisoners were mustered and taken back to goal, and a, search for Lewi* commenced. Ever since Thursday the police have been on the alert, and all possible avenues of leaving the city have been watched. j By some means Lewis became possessed of a suit of civilian's clothes, including a pail 1 of boots. He made his way to Island Bay by tramear, and from there walked across country to Ohariu, with the intention of striking the tailway line. Food he managed to beg from houses on the route. When discovered Lewis was in a vacant house, standing back about a mile and a-half from the roadway. The house was searched by Detectives Kemp, Hammond, and Andrews, and the escapee was found secreted in a cupboard in an upstairs room. He made no rebistance when arrested. Under the civilian clothes the man was wearing his prison garments. He admitted that he had had a rough time, the boiu terous weather not being at all suitable for an outdoor life. Lewie, when he escaped, had a beard of several days growth, but he had managed to obtain a razor and shave himself. He had in his possession a false moustache and; a small sum of money. The detectives brought their prisoner into town and lodged him, in the Terrace Gaol.