CAPTURE OF THE ESCAPED PRISONER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10021, 7 January 1896, Page 5

CAPTURE OF THE ESCAPED PRISONER.

Yesterday evening, about six o'clock, Chief Detective Grace succeeded in cloverly capturing Alley, the prisoner on remand, who escaped from Mount Eden Gaol, a week ago, after a sharp tussle, singlehanded, in a house in Stanley-street, Mechanic's Bay. The following are the circumstances i—Since Alley's escape, the detective force, the police, and some of the gaol warders have devoted their time to scouring the country and watching tlio roads, bridge?, and outgoing steamers, for Alley, lb was ascertained, ou Saturday night, that he had been ensconced up to that timo in a gully below the District Hospital, which runs at the rear of the residences on the eastern side of Grafton Road, and had been receiving supplies of food from boys. This led to a more complete investment of that dintrict and the Domain, and down to the sea. From information received, Chief Detective Grace en tered a bouse in Stanley-street, Mechanic's Bay, where he made some inquiries which elicited tho fact that a young man was lodging there, supposed to be a plumber from Parnell, and who just then was nob in. The detective felt interested in the lodger, and decided to remain till he came in. Shortly afterwards the young man came in, who proved to be Alley, although ho was considerably altered in appearance by his beard having grown and his being in a fresh suit of clothes. As Alley would not submit to bo handcuffed, a rough and tumble scrimmage took place between the pair, which ended in Detective Grace using his handcuffs effectively, a?d Alley seeing resistance to be useless, submitted to be ironed. He, however, declined to walk a foot to the lockup, and it was found necessary to send for a cab. Alley had got the clothes he had on when he escaped made up as a swag. When searched, in his new outfit, he had £2 lGs on him and a pair of spectacle!, which shows that he must have been aided by sympathisers. Last night an extra guard was kept at the lockup, and it is intended to put an iron grating on the female division overhead, as has been done in the male division, to prevent anyone effecting escape in the same way that Alley did. Alloy will be brought up at the Police Court in due course.