POLICE SEARCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21480, 2 May 1933, Page 8

POLICE SEARCH

ESCAPED PRISONERS TWO MEN FROM GISBORNE PROBABLY MAKING NORTH FOOD TAKEN FROM COTTAGES [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] GISBORNE, Monday The two prisoners, Norman Alfred O'Meara and Wilkin Rainsdon Avery, who escaped from the Gisborne Gaol at Waikanae Beach early on Saturday morning, are still at liberty. A report from Matawai, 44 miles north-west of Gisborne, stated that the men were apparently in the rough country bordering the Waioeka Road. Police officials have been delayed to some extent by efforts to follow up various alleged identifications, but these reports led to nothing. Last night all their attention was directed to the neighbourhood of Puha, a settlement about 30 miles from Gisborne.

The police have identified the car which the men are believed to have taken from Childers Road, Gisborne, with' that found in a bluegum plantation, -vveli-hidden from the road, near the viaduct crossing at Otoko, about 30 miles from Gisborne. Two men answering to the description of O'Meara and Avery were seen about 9.30 on Saturday morning by Mr. It. Harrison a few chains from the OtOko railway station, making their way northward on the main highway. Two men who were observed on the railway line between Otoko and Rakaiiroa', .a little further north, were traced by the police and proved to be farm labourers, but two other men were reported by a roadman and also by a boy. The lad was able to give a detailed description of the two men, even to the colour and condition of their footwear, and the description tallied exactly with the official description. It is believed probable that the men followed the Motu Road from Matawai as far as Motuhora, but doubled back again to take the Waioeka route.

Evidences of their progress have been found in several instances. Last night it was reported that the House of a roadman on the Waioeka Road had been broken into and food taken. The next report was that another cottage, also on the Waioeka Road, near Mr. Trafford's homestead, had been entered and blankets and provisions taken. At 10.30 a.m. to-day, the police received a report from Mr. J. Devonport. a dairyman living on the Gisborno side of Matawai, to the effect that a tworoomed whare had been extensively damaged during the absence of the owner.

The police search is being vigorously maintained in this area, men 'working both from Gisborne and Opotiki.

ESCAPE FROM WAIKUNE CAMP YEAR ADDED TO SENTENCE [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] "WELLINGTON, Monday Eugene Charles Dominic McCarthy, who gave himself up at Mount Crawford Gaol, Wellington, on Friday, eight days after escaping from the Waikune prison camp, Park, appeared in the Police Court to-day. He was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, in addition to the present sentence.