IN-AND-OUT CAREER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10397, 30 September 1919, Page 4

IN-AND-OUT CAREER

CHRISTIE ESCAPES AGAIN REMARKABLE RECORD OF YOUNG CRIMINAL. Joseph Thomas Christie, a young criminal, who will be remembered for his senes of remarkable escapes from custody, made his second escape within a week from the Avondale Mental Hospital on Friday last. Christie has made some sensational dashes for liberty, notably in 1911, when he jumped from a moving train near Invercargill, his daring dive from the ferry steamer near Lyttelton in 1917, and later his wild leap from an express train on tho Parnell Rise. Many other cunning escapes have been made by this young man, who seemingly laughs at bolts and bars —through barred windows, over seemingly unscalable walls, and very simply through unlocked doors and windows-.

Christie’s latest escapade is characteristic in the cool resourcefulness displayed, and contains more than a touch of humour. He had for some considerable time been in Avondale Hospital for mental treatment, and after ah escape and a series of escapades curing the time he was at liberty, he settled down after recapture until he won the modification of restrictions by his excellent behaviour. With ability mid resource he seems to have made skilful use of the extra liberty to make surreptitious visits to tho city. Some days ago a motor-oar which had been left standing for a few minutes in Elliott street, Auckland, disappeared. Tho owner not only informed the police, but also notified tire various garages in the town. Nothing further was heard of. the car until one firm of motor engineers advertised for a motor-car' body. In response a man took to tho garage a car, and bargained for the sale of the body, arrangements being made that the engine be taken out of the car, and the chassis removed, and that the vendor return nest morning (Friday) for them and the cheque. Tiro puchaser had his suspicions about the car, and communicated with the owner of th( machine which had teen stolen from Elliott street, who identified it as his. Nest morning (Saturday) the vendor turned up for his cheque, and was confronted by Detective Dq Norville, who identified the vendor as Christie, of the Mental Hospital. Tiro detective found out that Christie had managed to make arrangements for tho renting of a shed in Union street, where he had concealed tho car after having stolen it. Ho took Christie into custody, and the prisoner was conducted back to the Mental Hospital. On arrival at the hospital Christie stated that he was hungry, and was taken to the kitchen. He was left alone for a time, and in that time he slipped away and disappeared, and had not been seen up to noon on Saturday. The escapee is a dangerous person to be at large, chiefly because he is no respecter of property, with a special fancy for motor-cars, motor-cycles, and push bikes. Otherwise ha is a plausible and pleasant companion, and a ready conversationalist, with a manner calculated to inspire confidence, and handy in removing suspicions as woli M property of a movable character.