RESCUE OF DROWNING PRISONER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10421, 20 April 1897, Page 5

RESCUE OF DROWNING PRISONER.

DESPERATE STRUGGLE IN THE WATER. DETERMINED TO DIE. EXCITING SCENE OFF NORTH HEAD. A most exciting occurrence was witnessed yesterday morning in the neighbourhood of tho North Head, when one of a gang of prisoners working on tho hill made a desperate attompt to commit suicide, and was oaly prevonted from carrying out his mad design after an oxcitlng struggle with two men who were sailing round tho Hoad at tho time. A MAD (LIGHT. It was about half past ten o'clock, and at tho time Mr. W. Harris, a carpenter of Fort Takupuna, and Mr. H. K. Hovell, surveyor, accompanied by Mrs. Harris and a lady friend, wore proceeding in a boat on their way to tho Bastion Fort in the hope of getting a little shooting on Mr. Biddiok's property. On arriving within about 150 yards off the fort wharf at North Head, their attention wits arrested by tho sight of a prisoner in his stocking feet dashing at a tremendous pace down tlio side of the hill and through the trees, apparently heedless of all obstacles. Tho occupants of the boat watched the Grange spectacle with breathless excitement, oxpeoting every moment to hear the report of the warder's gun and to see the unforfcunato victim fall. Ho was evidently making for tho water near tho wharf. However, no shot was fired ; for either the escape was not noticed, or the warder hoped to re-capture his man without proceeding to such an extreme measure. A FKIGHTFUL CRASH. Continuing on his mad careor, tho man dashed himself with tremendous force right upon tho iron piping, or stay, that supported the chimney of the engine situated just beneath tho cliff, and used for drawing up the big guns. Chimney and stay were both carried away with a frightful crash, and tho man was seen to fall a distance of some fiftoon feot among the rocks beneath. The onlookers thought he must bo killed or at least crippled; but no, for he immediately gob upagain, and apparently staggering and daied, ho dashed on and flung himself into the sea. The ocoupants of the boat immediately made towards tho prisoner, who was soon seen to rise with his hands clasped as if in prayer, and then ho disappeared once more. A DESPERATE STRUGGLE, The ladies in the boat were at once put on shore with instructions to loso no time in giving the alarm, and tho boat was beaded tor tho drowning man. He was evidently determined not to let the rescuers thwart his purpose, and for a time evaded all attempts to secure him. He showed every sign of being bereft of his senses, and made a desperate struggle to be ellowod to die. It now became apparent that he was a powerful man, of about fifteen stone, and splendidly built; and as Hovell weights twelve stone, is six feet high, and an athlete of considerable reputation (holding medals for wrestling and also for saving life), it becamo apparent that the strugglo would resolve itself into something iiko a battle between giants. At length Hovell managed to secure the drowning man by his prison shirt, which was made of very strong material, and managed to get the man's right arm over the gunwale of the boat. The man, however, struggled tremendously to release himself, and glared at Hovell and his mate as only one demented could. Harris was all the timo working the boat towards the shore as fast as possible; but nt length shirt and singlet both gave way,. and the prisoner got clear for the moment and sank immediately. Hovell made an attempt to get hold of him by the hoad, bat found his hair was too short to grasp. It was then discovered that the man had caught the boat by the keel, evidently determined to drown at all hazards. However, Harris got the spreet of the sail and dislodged the prisoner from his grip, and he then sank out of sight. A RF.SOOE EFFECTED. "Now's our time," shouted Hovell, feeling that it would be impossible to land so powerful a man so long as he rotained consciousness, and hoping he would become insensible, for then they could manage him. Hovell proceeded to throw off his boots and leggings, with the intention of diving in, but before he had done this Harris again cried out, "He is rising again, Hovell," and the man came to the surface with bis head and feet hanging down add his body awash. Harris seized him by the prison belt, and passed him on to Hovell, who lifted the drowning man's head out of the water, and held him until Harris worked the boat up to the rocks. By this timo the ladies who had been landed, had climbed the hill and given the alarm, and now a number of the other prisoners, accompanied by Mr. Woolley, the jailor, jumped down the rocks, and dragged the unconscious man ashore. The usual methods for reviving the partially drowned were applied, and Dr. Douglas, who was sent for, was soon in attendance, The man was toon breathing regularly, ,and apparently out of danger. It is stated, that the poor fellow baa been depressed for some time past. He has a family of children, and appears to haw been fretting for them, and brooding over bis position. An inquiry will doubtless be held concerning the occurrence. Messrs,' Hovell,'and; Harris deserve great credit for the plucky manner in which they effected the ; rescue ,in the face of great difficulties. "