ESCAPE FROM LOCK-UP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20900, 16 June 1931, Page 11

ESCAPE FROM LOCK-UP.

POLICE SURROUND HOUSE

TWO MAORIS RECAPTURED.

END OF LONG CHASE.

[BY TELEGEArH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] EOTORUA, Monday. Tho two Maoris, Wi Pori and Georgo Ropeta, who escaped from tho lock-up at To Puke last Thursday night by picking the lock of their cell, gave the polico a great chaso over wild country, and were captured at an early hour this morning by the Rotorua police in a houso owned by Dr. Rayner, on tbe shores of Lake Eotoiti. The men had been arrested on.a charge of unlawful conversion of a motor-car. Other charges in connection with a safe robbery were stated to be ponding. When tho two prisoners escaped from To Puko the police believed that they were making for Rotorua and a close watch was kept. They were reported a.t 01; ere and then camo on to Mourea, where they apparently spent the next night. When tbe police arrived they were k & missing;, but a trail was discovered heading over tho hills toward Tikitere. Footprints were found on the track, and one of the men being lame his trail was noticeable on account of his using a stick. Dr. Rayner's houso is used as a summer residence and is unoccupied at present. Tho police believe the two Maoris spent Saturday night at the house and that in the early hours yesterday they made , for the hills, where they watched the road. Last night tho Maoris returned to the house.

After dark tho police crept through tangled scrub acros:; country and surrounded the house. Heavy rain was falling and the night was dark. Being afraid to chow a light in case it should alarm tho men, the police had a difficult task. Threo of the party entered the house and four guarded the possible outlets. The arrest of the two Maoris was made without difficulty. They were found hiding in a small room. The two men appeared before Sir. S. L. Paterson, S.M., to-day. They were handcuffed together in the dock. They were charged with being incorrigible rogues, in that they escaped from tho Te Puke lock-up. Senior-Sergeant Carroll asked for & remand until to-morrow, as both accused had been arrested only a few hours previously and several other charges .were pending. The remand *as granted.