DESPERATE PRISONERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17250, 18 August 1916, Page 7

DESPERATE PRISONERS.

ATTEMPTED GAOL BREAKING

WARDER SAVAGELY ASSAULTED

rpiK Press Association.]

WELLINGTON. August 17

Sovoral prisoners at the Terrace Gaol savagely attacked' a warder a few days ago, placing him hors de combat temporarily, and securing the keys. They had passed two or three doors when they were spotted by another warder, who gave the alarm, and in the nick of time the would-be bscapees were overpowered and placed in cells. The men will appear at tho Magistrates Court to-morrow. . The incident occurred with dramatic suddenness ■ on Saturday afternoon. Three of the men concerned have long sentences, one of them being reported to be a “ lifer.” The fourth was only in for a short term, but was induced by the others to join in the conspiracy to secure freedom. The four were engaged with other prisoners in a workroom where, manufacturing operations were carried on. When the outbreak occurred the other prisoners looked on without interfeimg, as far as can bo gathered. At a preconcerted signal a rush was made on the warder who was supervising operations, and he was struck a heavy blow on the head with some improvised weapon, so that ho *0“ senseless to the floor. His keys then were taken from him and a rush made downstairs to the outer door. A key was fitted into it but it was also locked on the outside, so that the prisoners were foiled. Back upstairs again they tore in desperate anxioty, and after passing through an inner door tliov endeavor red to get access to another part of tho gaol, from winch thev hoped to make their exit, but tho" door thev had to got through was also doublelocked, communication from the other side being necessary. All this, of course, could not take place without indications of tumult and the sounds of disorder were heard in other parts of tho gaol. As the attempting flvaways were searching round for ether avenues of escape a number of warders suddenly broke in and speedily overpowered the culurits, placing them in special cells. Tho desperate attempt to secure liberty did not occupy much time and the warder who ha« # been attacked soon recovered consciousness .without showing signs of any serious injury.