THE NEWS AT THE THAMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9445, 16 August 1889, Page 5

THE NEWS AT THE THAMES.

[BY TELEG.RAPII. —OWN CORRESTONDKNT.] Thames, Thursday.—The news of Dean's arrival iu Auckland in custody of Detective Herbert, took the community by surprise this morning. The first intimation was given through an " Extra" published by the Thames Sr.ar, and soon afterwards the matter was the general theme of conversation all over the town. The general impression had been that Dean had succeeded in escaping, as such a length of time had expired (five weeks) since lie had left the Thames. This feeling, howover, had not been shared by Sergeant Gilliea, who was confident throughout that the information he hail been acting upon was perfectly correct, and that the steps takon to secure tho absconder's arrest would naturally prove successful. TUB MODK OK KSCAI'E. A good deal has already been said about Dean's mode of escape, but the following additional particulars may prove acceptable :—Dean made his escape from the Thames at (i p.m. on tho 12th ultimo, in the fishing smack Penguin, having also on board the two Koltoii Brothers. Unaware of this, however, u warrant for Dean's arrest was issued next day at the instance of tho Crown Prosecutor, charging him with forgery as well as embezzlement; but, upon tho police proceeding to his residence at Parawai, in tho afternoon, it was found that he was not at home. No information could be obtained as to his whereabouts, and in the evening Constable Bern was despatched on horseback to Puriii, as it was thought he might have gone there. The search being fruitless, Constable Bern returned to town, but about midnight chanced to meet a fisherman, a brother of the two Roltous, who were, it subsequently transpired, away with Dean, from whom the constable learned that Dean had left in the boat Penguin, but he did not know to what, place they intended going. Sergeant Gillies was soon informed of these particulars, and it is openly asserted that the fisherman Rolton, who gave the information, was taken to the otlice of the police, where he made a full statement of all he knew to Sergeant Gillius. The sergeant having thus obtained definite particulars of the escape, noted with commendable promptitude, and at tho earliest possible hour next morning (Saturday, the 13th ult.) he dispatched a telegram to Inspector Broham, in Auckland, to that ctl'ect. The Police Department, however, apparently did not care to incur any further expense in following Dean, so on the afternoon of the 15th ult., ix hurriedly-convened meeting of the Borough Council was held, when it was agreed to guarantee £100 towards sending a vessel to Norfolk Island, with a detective on board, to arrest Dean, in the event of his being there. Of this, however, Sergeant Gillies had no doubt, as the two Rolton Bros. having returned iu the Penguin the same evening, he closely questioned them, and eventually succeeded in eliciting from them similar information to that which he already possessed, with the addition that they had placed Dean on board the schooner Christine off Omaha, at 2 o'clock on Sunday morning, lith ult. The departure of the mission schooner Southern Cross with Detective Herbert on board in pursuit of the culprit is well known, and need not be recapitulated. The greatest possible credit is duo to Sergeant Gillies for the able manner in which he has acted throughout, and there can be no question whatever that it is owing to his prompt action that the arrest* has been effected. His task was an exceedingly dillicult one, the escape having been very cleverly planned and carried out, and every effort made to throw the police off the scent. Constable Bern is also entitled to great praise for the part he took in the matter. DEAN'S ARRIVAL AT THAMES. There was a large crowd of spectators on tho goods wharf this evening waiting the arrival of the Kotomahana from Auckland. Immediately the gangway was connected with the wharf, there was a rush to catch a glimpse of the prisoner, and when he put in an appearance, in custody of Inspector Broham and Detective Herbert there was a general exclamation, " There he is," mingled with cheers and groans. A cab engaged by Sorgeant Gillies was in waiting, and the prisoner was put into it and driven direct to Shortlnnd Gaol, when; ho is lodged for the night. On the 23rd instant he will be brought up at the Police Court, and the charges already laid against him will be proceeded with. ARREST OK A BONDSMAN. Iα connection with this matter it may alfo be mentioned that at 2.30 this afternoon William Henry Crick was arrested on a warrant issued under the hand of the Sheriff of the Supreme Court, for not having paid tho sum of £11G 17s (id, being £100 on account of Dean's bond and £115 7s (id costs incurred in connection therewith up to date. He wns lodged in the Grnhamstown lock-up until the Enterprise left for Auckland at 10 this evening, when lie was put on board on route for Mount Eden Gaol in charge of UnderSheriff Hargreaves. A bailiff has also been put in possession of Dean's house and property .at Parawai on account of his bond for £200 having been estreated.