BORSTAL ESCAPES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20520, 22 March 1930, Page 10

BORSTAL ESCAPES.

HUNT FOR FOUR YOUTHS.

ONLY ONE RECAPTURED.

STRONG FORCE ENGAGED.

[by telegraph.— preset association.] INVERCARGILL, Friday.

So far only one of the four youths who escaped from the Borstal Institution on Thursday afternoon has been recaptured. This morning warders and the police were hot on the trail of one of the youths in the vicinity of Miramar Avenue. At about 10 o'clock word was received that a stranger had >been seen in that district some 10 minutes previously. There appeared to bo no doubt that this was 011© of the youths, and the search was pursued with redoubled energy and concentration of forces. Eventually this youth was captured. It was realised as soon as the escapes were reported that all avenues of escape must be closed in order that the youths should be confined to the most limited area possible. With this end in view all the available Borstal officers and members of the police force were organised for the search and patrols were posted from the estuary bridge to the new bridge across the Oreti.

In the meantime all parties of inmates working outside the Borstal Institution were recalled and those warders who could be spared were detailed .to watch the roads leading through various sections of the Otatara Bush. A force of 30 officers was thus on the scene within a fairly short time.

With the precautions taken it was thought unlikely that the youths could get out of the_ area confined by the patrols and bounded on three sides by water. Apparently after the four had got away together, they raided one or. more properties in the bush and before separating provided themselves with a supply of clothing in addition to their Borstal uniform.