FOUND ASLEEP.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 265, 7 October 1940, Page 8

FOUND ASLEEP.

THREE PRISON ESCAPEES. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Oct. 7. Three of the four prisoners who escaped from Auckland last Tuesday nignt were recaptured early this morning, sleeping under a large tree in a pine plantation about 200 yards from the Titirangi Hotel, on fine hills west of Auckland. An intensive search had been made in this area by a large cordon of police since Saturday night, when it was known that three ol the escapees had travelled in that direction. .

As the dawn was breaking this morning Constable McTavish heard snoring near the Titirangi road. Getting tnrough a fence he came on an open patch and saw the three prisoners sleeping under a pine tree. "When Constable McTavish called to them they showed no disposition to resist, and said they would come quietly. Constables Saunders and Dwan came on the scene and assisted to handcuff the men—Smith, Silva and O’Hehir. These men said they left Watson, who was suffering from a chest complaint, at Wewmarket on the Tuesday evening soon after escaping. Each man was brought in a separate car to the Central Police Station. The police received a report yesterday afternoon that three men, believed to be prisoners, were seen by girls on the Waitakcre Drive Itoad. Police cars rushed in that direction and a force of 85 constables and detectives operated under directions signalled from a hill by Superintendent J. Cummings and Sub-Inspector Hall. A report was received at 9.15 last night that men probably the prisoners had been heard at tho hack of a house. The police then acted on a prearranged plan which aimed at driving the prisoners out of the bush towards Titirangi I!< Wlicn found by Constable McTavish two of the prisoners were sleeping on the ground and the third was standing as though keeping guard. The throe escapees said later that they had realised by the sounds of the police movements that the cordon was dosing in. .■' . , . When arrested, . Silva had £4 in his possession. He was wearing naval denim overalls with the badge of a petty officer on the left arm. Smith was dressed in khaki denim overalls and O’Hehir was wearing a coat and a pair of light trousers, also a yellow and black’football jersey and a black beret. On arrival at the Central Police Station the men, who were unshaven and haggard, were given tea, bread, and butter, and at 10.30 two eggs each aiid bacon and toast.