THE GAOL INCIDENT.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 302, 19 August 1916, Page 2

THE GAOL INCIDENT.

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

[PEll PRESS ASSOCIATION. J

Wellington, August 18

[ Sensational evidence was heard at tho Magistrate's Court to-day, when George Growther, Hector McLean, Chas. Hazekliue, and John Daintry Campbell Birch, four prisoners, ,.who_. attempted to escape from tho Terrace Gaol on Saturday last, were charged with intent to commit a crime, and that they did by violent means render Chas. Edward '■Jpittall,, a warder, incapable of resistance. .

Tho"tevidenco showed that McLean attacked Spittall while tho latter was attending to a radiator in the room in which the clothes were made. One of the other prisoners also assaulted him, and he was rendered unconscious. When he came to he was bound and gagged, but managed to crawl on. his hands and knees to the electric bell. Assistance came, and the prisoners were recaptured in the storeroom at tho point of the revolver. They had opened one door and forced another, but fliey still had two doors to force, before regaining their liberty. The assault was evidently com n mitted with sandbags, two of which were produced >iu< Court. y The prisoners pleaded not and were committed for trial.