ESCAPED CONVICTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 110, 10 May 1913, Page 5

ESCAPED CONVICTS

TWO MISSING FROM TERRACE GAOL Two long-sentence prisoners, John Patrick .onovan and John Lewis, made their escape from the Terrace Gaol some time during last night. Donovan was convicted only a fey.' months ago of assault and _ robbery at Wellington, his victim being a man whom he inveigled into a house in Lome-street, and drugged and robbed under circumstances which led to his being sentenced in the Supreme Court to three years' imprisonment. Lewis, who had been before the Court on previous occasions and let out on probation after being declared an habitual crimi' nal, was associated with Donovan in the same offence, and also was sent up for three years, besides being again declared an habitual criminal. As to the manner in which the men effected their escape, the authorities are reticent. All that is known is that the men were locked in their cells a* night as usual, and that when the warder went his rounds this morning the two were missing. It is conjectured that one of them cleverly managed to open the door of his cell after the sentry had gone bis rounds, and that he then liberated the other me-n. After that they would find tliemselves in a portion of the building which is contiguous to the garden, and the doors of which could be opened without much difficulty. Once in tho garden they could scale the outside walls by means .of outbuildings, and thence gain the open country. As soon as the escape Was discovered a large body of police and warders was sent out to endeavour to recapture the fugitives. A report was received that they had beert seen near Karori, and the authorities appear to incline to the belief that that is the direction they have taken. So far, however, the men are still at large, and no definite news of_ their whereabouts has been received. Both the fugitives are natives of Ireland. Lewis, who has also gone under the alias of Pearce, is 34 years of age, sft 7in high, of sallow complexion, dark brown hair, _ and hazel eyes. Donovan is. sft lOin high, of strong build, of fair complexion, brown hair, and grey eyes. He was at one time a ship's fireman, and he is profusely tattooed. > On his back are a fox, cat, and goat, lion, and hounds, on his arms are depicted a horse, a hare, and female heads, and on his chest a lion and eagle. There have been very many escapes in the past from the Terrace Gaol and from the Mount Cook Prison Works, but all the escapees have been recaptur« ed with the exception of the' notorious Powelka.