ESCAPE OF A CONVICT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7997, 31 January 1887, Page 2

ESCAPE OF A CONVICT.

A report was received (by telephone) at the police station early yesterday morning of tho escape of a prisoner named John William Crabtree from Mount Cook gaol. The prisoner escaped early yesterday morning. He was in tho cells at twenty minutes to 5, and was missed at ten minutes past 5. Ho was sentenced on tho sth of January, 1885, to 10 years’ penal servitude at Christchurch on each of two charges of horse-stealing (sentences to run concurrently), and on the same date was convicted of four charges of larceny, and for each he was sentenced to three years’ penal servitude (to run ‘ concurrently), making a total of 13 years. Crabtree is a native of Yorkshire, England, and arrived in tho Colony by the ship Roman Empire, in the year 1864.; He is a baker by trade, and is described as being 27 years of age, 5 feet 6 inches high, of stoat build, fair complexion, fair hair, no hair ou face, grey eyes, mark of abcess on left cheek, well made, and active; weight 1491b5. , He is a married man and his wife lives in Cashel-street, East Christchurch. The prisoner,(who is a daring character, is a most dangerous man to be at large. Hois the same man who, it will be remembered, attempted to escape some years ago from the Lyttelton Gaol, and was fired at. He also made another attempt about two years ago at the Mount Cook Gaol, when he was caught in the act by Mr Garvey, who was on his rounds of inspection, A substantial reward will, according to a standing regulation, be given by the Government for such information as shall lead to the prisoner’s recapture. The authorities have a suspicion as to bis whereabouts, and uo doubt he will soon be re-arrested.