MATTHEWS AT LARGE

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 32, 6 August 1921, Page 6

MATTHEWS AT LARGE

UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. '

(IT TIIiIORAFH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

DUNEDIN, This Day.

Fifty police and attendants were out all night in an unsuccessful search for Matthews. It is believed that he had outside assistance. At any rate he gained possession of a knife, with which he removed two 4in hoards from the floor of his cell. He squeezed through to the collar, a drop of 9 feet. Matthew* thence proceeded to the exercise pen, where he got a pair of boxing gloves, a. bathing 1 suit, and tennis shoes. There are some significant circumstances. Matthews always slept ion a kaipoc mattress on the floor. During the last "few days, on the plea of neuralgia, he stayed in bea, so the mattress was not distur'oed. It was under the mattress that the boards were removed. A warder visited Matthews at l.li a.m., and, returning 15 minutes later, found ,the cell empty. About a fortnight ago a rope was found on top of the exercise pen, which Matthews himself could not have secured. About that time there was a rumour in Dunedin of his escape. When, he got away Matthews had a, "gingeir" beaid 2in long. About 4.30 yesterday morning, I>r. Thomas, of Palmurston, when motoring through. * Merton (30 miles north ' of Dunedin), saw a man run off the road ahead of him, 'and it is suggested that it was Matthews making his way north.