AGAIN AT LIBERTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23284, 1 March 1939, Page 10

AGAIN AT LIBERTY

WAIKUNE PRISONER CELL BAR BENT WITH HANDS ESCAPE THROUGH NARROW GAP SEARCH QUICKLY BEGUN [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN COItRESPONDENT J TAUMARUNUI, Tuesday The Maori Tu Whakarara, who escaped from the Waikune prison cam]) at National Park last Wednesday night and was recaptured early on Sunday morning, made a second escape from Waikune early this morning. The prisoner occupied a single cell last night. When the officer on duty passed the cell a few minutesi before the escape, he saw everything was in order. The officer then had to do the usual round of the prison, about 200 to 300 yards. On his return he found the window of the Maori's cell had been broken. Two panes of glass were smashed and one iron bar had been slightly bent, making an opening not more than 7in. wide. The prisoner must have made his escape through this small opening, as there was no other way out. He had no means of bending? the iiron bar except his bare hands. The officer at once gave the alarm. The prisoner could have had only a few minutes' start before warders were out searching. Police were notified to wsitch all roads and bridges throughout the districts surrounding National Pa>rk. Sergeant Clist and Constables Smith and Bisset went to National Park this morning, and they were joined by police from other districts.