OBSTACLES ON RAILS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20625, 5 August 1941, Page 6

OBSTACLES ON RAILS

BORSTAL ESCAPEES’ ACT MOVE TO CHECK PURSUIT (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. An explanation of how obstacles were placed across the main south railway between Balclutha and Kakapuaka was given by the Minister of Railways, the Hon. R. Semple. Several fishplates, it was reported, were placed on the rails; making additional precautions necessary to ensure the safe passage of the expresses. Mr. Semple stated to-day that his inquiries showed that two lads, who had escaped from thg Borstal institution, were travelling south' along the railway line and. under the impression they would probably be pursued by officials travelling on velocipedes put two or three fishplates on the rails with the object of delaying pursuit. The obstacles were- removed and the boys were taken into custody “I make this statement,” added the Minister, “in order to assure the public that there is no ground ioi thinking it was an ordinary act o', sabotage, carried out. by some person resident in the locality, with a view to derailing the expresses.”