PRISONER IN DOG BOX.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20622, 22 July 1930, Page 8

PRISONER IN DOG BOX.

EII)E ON MAIN TRUNK.

END TO DETERMINED ESCAPE. SHOCK FOR RAILWAY PORTER. SECOND BID FOR LIBERTY. [by telegraph.—phess association.] WELLINGTON. Monday. A sensational end to an escaped prisoner's brief period of liberty occurred on the arrival' of tho limited express at Wellington this morning, when James Alexander Scorringe, who had escaped from tho Waikune prison camp, National Park, was found by a railway porter in tho dog box ot the guard's van. Daring though the attempt had been, Scorringe was nob satisfied and on being escorted to the police station he again made a determined bid for liberty. It is stated that Scorringe conceived the idea of "stowing away" on the limited express when it stopped at National Park in the early hours this morning, the only day of the week that it does so. Ho opened the dog box with a broken file, an ordinary key not being necessary for opening tho door, and then, for over six hours, lie lay cramped in tho small stuffy compartment while the train passed through the cold hill country of the Main Trunk line.

Unfortunately for him he oould only board tho train on the side opposite to tho platform at National Park, which at the Thorndon Station, corresponded to tho platform side. Therefore, on the arrival of (ho express at its destination, he had to await a favourable opportunity to slip out and make for cover.

After tho van had been cleaved of (lie passengers' lugg-ige, a porter, following the usual procedure, looked to see if there wore any dogs in the box. He received a shock when ho beheld a man inside. He immediately sought the assistance of the station foreman who, in turn, summoned ono of three constables who were waiting on the station, and Seorringß was taken into custody. He was being escorted along TJiorndon Quay, en route to the police station, and on reaching the intersection of Davis Street ho dashed away from llio constable and ran in the direction of tiie wharves.

Although Scorringe is a man of 23 years and of athletic build, the constable gave, stern chase for about 200 yards and caught the escaping man just as he was in the act of scaling a wire fence and when his clothing was caught on the barbed wire.

Scorringe will be charged in the Magistrate's Court to-morrow with having broken away from lawful custody.

ESCAPEE PROM AUCKLAND.

NO TRACE OF MOVEMENTS. No advice regarding the movements of the missing prisoner, Francis Gomez, who escaped from the Auckland Hospital early on Sunday morning, has been received by the Auckland police. It is considered likely that he is making for the South in a stolen motor-car, as he was convicted in Wellington, where he has friends.