Weraroa Escapees Lead Police a Chase

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 82, 7 April 1938, Page 6

Weraroa Escapees Lead Police a Chase

APPREHENDED NEAR EKETARUNA

During the past fortnight no fewer than six boys under detention at the Weraroa Training Farm have made their escape. They went away in pairs and while two were apprehended in Taranaki a day or two ago and two are still at large, the third pair were caught near Eketahuna yesterday after a three-hour hunt by a detective and a constable.

The police received word that a cai reported missing had been found considerably damaged at a bridge between Masterton and Eketahuna, into which it had crashed. They also learned that another car had been taken from a garage close handy which led them to put two and two together. They were quickly on the trail which led down the Rongomai road where it branched off at Newman, where the second car was found abandoned. With valuable assistance from nearby farmers, a search was made of the neighbouring countryside which is rugged and bush-covered in the gullies. A camp was located but there was no sign of the suspected boys. Finally both were seen sitting on the side of a hill but when the police approached they cleared away into the bush. One was caught after a chase but there was no sign of the other. Eventually the second lad was appre* hended on the other side of a river which he had forded in an endeavour to get away. They will appear before the Children’s Court on Friday.