WHY HE ESCAPED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 86, 8 October 1943, Page 3

WHY HE ESCAPED

PRISONER'S CLAIMS

COUNTER TO JAP PLOTS

P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, October 7. | A strange tale of counter-espionage work and alleged attempts on his life was told by Sydney Gordon Ross, an escapee from Paparua Prison, who appeared before Mr. E. C. Levvey, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court on charges of escaping from Paparua Prison, being an incorrigible rogue in . that * he escaped from Paparua Prison, and with unlawful conversion of a bicycle valued at £5, the property of John Edward Bennett. The charge of escaping from gaol was withdrawn, and Ross, who pleaded guilty to the other two charges, was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment with hard labour, the sentence to start at the expiration of the sentence he is now serving. Sub-Inspector Macnamara said that Ross, who was 33 years of age, was at present serving a sentence of two years and a half with hard labour. At 8.30 p.m. on September 30 he escaped from Paparua Prison, and on his way into the city unlawfully converted a bicycle. On the following morning at 2.20 he called at the watchhouse and gave himself up. "I will tell you why I escaped," said Ross when asked if he had anything to say. "The story goes back about 18 months, just after America came into the war. New Zealand had very little equipment in the country, and there was about £500,000 Japanese money distributed throughout New Zealand. I was ill at the time and was offered a position as a Japanese agent, but this got to the right quarters—the New Zealand Secret Service, so-called—and they practically went down on their bended knees asking me to work for them." The Magistrate: Are you the man who was living at Rotorua on the best of everything? Ross: Yes. The Magistrate: You ask me to swallow this? "EYE ON THE QUISLINGS." "They asked me to take the rank of captain. I could not be any higher as the man in charge was a major," continued Ross. "I was given unlimited power and money. The Navy, Air Force, and Army were placed at toy disposal. It sounds foolish here, I know, but it is correct. My first job was with the New Zealand quislings, or fifth columnists, as they are called. The first thing I discovered was that I could trust very few of my colleagues, and second, the rather big names in this thing, New Zealand's 'untouchables.' Anyhow, the Japanese suffered one or two reverses, and the 'untouchables' discovered that they would not have to sell out and that they could go back to their old way of living. "I worked as Captain Calder for four months and a half, and in that time gave as many shocks as I received* When the 'untouchables' realised that they could go back to their normal mode of living, 'Captain Calder' was not wanted arid had to be disposed of. Several newspapers said that 'Captain Calder' had robbed the Government of thousands of pounds, and a weekly, I think it was, asked why action had not been taken. Also several members of Parliament asked for information about it, but all they got was a stony silence." After saying that he had come to Christchurch and enlisted in the Army as a private, Ross said that an attempt had been made on his life, two bones in his back being broken, necessitating some two months in hospital. "It is surprising the number of sums of money offered to me to sell information or to keep silent," said Ross, "but I refused as I was finished and had enough. Later an exceptionally large sum was offered me, but I also refused to take it. The Department apparently tnoiigM I had been offered a larger sum. ALLEGES HE WAS SHOT AT. Ross also alleged that some time later shots had again been fired at him in Christchurch and that two bullets had gone through his clothing. "Shortly afterwards I was arrested in Christchurch on three petty charges. I do not want you to think I am taking a punch at the police," continued Ross, "as I am referring to people higher up. I know that I am not doing myself any good, but I say now that each charge was a dirty frame-up, and J repeat that I am not throwing that at the police. If I had not pleaded guilty I would have been charged on another count. Two men were prepared to step forward and give evidence against me, but if they bring up the other charge now it will only go to prove what I am telling you now." Ross said he served a term in prison and then received a letter from one of the persons involved in the affair. People were talking, and perhaps he wanted to do a little himself to save his own hide, said Ross, who then told how he had broken away from prison, arriving in Christchurch at 11,15 p.m. in search of the man who had written the letter. "My search was futile, and I was a very disillusioned man at 2.15 the next morning, as it was raining. Who would believe it anyhow?" he asked. "You can visualise my state of mind, as it was cold, wet, and raining. I tore the letter up, walked into the police station, and gave myself up. I do not want you to think I am trying to influence you in any way." The Magistrate: No; and I think by your remarks that your alias should be Baron Munchausen. Why did you escape from prison? Ross: Why I told you.