MUTINY IN A GAOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18406, 23 May 1923, Page 9

MUTINY IN A GAOL.

ATTACK UPON WARDERS.

A sensational incident occurred at th'a Ballarat Gaol recently, during " which ,-» warder was struck over the./bead and knocked unconscious, andanother.."warder had to make ufio of his rifle before tlio disturbance was quelled. Following the usual custom, several prisoners wero allowed out in the exerciseyard under the supervision ;o"h; warder.*, It was noticed than one prisoner win missing. A search wa« made, and two j warders examined the cells. They wern i in a cell when tho door was closed behind {them and they were imprisoned It is i believed that the prisoner who had cis- | Appeared had concealed himself; in ait 'adjoining cell, and that when ho heard I the warders enter the cell he slipped out, of his hiding place and made them cap- ' tive. ; ; - ' ';' ', ■' ;' :'-';'• ; l ;*. ! Other prisoners then attacked a third ■ warder, who was with them in the yard, 'Ho was struck a violent blow on tho bead, and he fell 16 tho ground unconscious. j The- commotion caused by the attack '•' attracted the attention of another warder, (who was on patrol duty ,on "ton of.,' tho J high wall which surrounds tiio gaol. Realising tho desperate character of th» men who were concerned in the affray ho j immediately fired a shot over tho bead of ■a prisoner, who was stooping over the . warder on tho ground, apparently search •ing his pockets for keys, the possession of ! which would have provided Urn opportunity for releasing other prisoners, J'ho j sound of the shot surprised the. assailant and his associates, and when the- warder i intimated that the next shot would not bo wide of the mark the men made a dash, for safety and entered a cell. The noise 'of the report brought more officials to th« scene, and it was not long before order was restored and the recalcitrant pri•oners locked up in their cells.