A BID FOR LIBERTY.

NZ Truth, Issue 137, 1 February 1908, Page 5

A BID FOR LIBERTY.

A DANGEROUS GANG'S CONSPIRACY. Sinclair, Ferris and Hamilton Again. A Preconcerted Plan for GaolBreaking. What the Prisoners Were to Do. That desperate sans of criminals, Sinclair, Hamilton and Ferris those bold, bad bungHars who went about armed to the teeth and used dynamite m their .unlavw ul pursuits, seem determined, notwithstanding the sentence of fifteen years' hard labor imposed upon them, to give the authorities the maximum amount of trouble. The capture of these lawless wretches, who held human life so cheaply, and whose disregard for other peoples' property was really alarming, would, according to subsequent developments, indicate that Police Commissioner Dinnie does not think much of it. Anyhow, the public, which has most to fear, regard' the capture and gaoling of these desperadoes with entire satisfaction, but it certainly views with alarm the recent pre-concerted attempt of the trio to break gaol. Regarding that really coolly and cunningly planned conspiracy to break gaol and to regain their liberty, when they would be free once again to pursue their evil calling, a little has to be said. And it. might here be mentioned that the trio are men who arc not undaunted by one set back. Fifteen years is a long; time, and these men are going to take advantage of the least opportunity affording their escape. "Truth" does not m the least regard it as curious that almost sim-ultfanieoiisly Sinclair and Hamilton should, under circumstances about to be related, m the Wellington G-aol adopt means to secure their freedom, while Ferris, who is IN THE LYTTELTON HELL', should, with a fine disregard for the life of any warder who should attempt to stop his flying career, also make a bid for his liberty. It is not -at all surprising, that though; separated by many miles, Ferris should act m conceit with his brothers m crime m the Wellington prison. That they communicate with one another is very apparent, that they will communicate with ,each other m the future, if they do not yet succeed m gaol-breaking, is a certainty. That Sinclair, Hamilton, and Ferris are not now at liberty need not be imagined is due to the alacrity of the prison authorities. For ' Sinclair, Hamilton • and Ferris to attempt their escape m concert, to be provided with clothing, food, etc., plainly ! means that they must have outside assistance, and, moreover, some of their f ellow-prisoners j must have been taken into confidence, and it was by other prisoners that Hamilton and Sinclair at the Wellington G-aol, and Ferris at Lyttelton, had their "pots put on." Ferris seems to have set about his would-be escape m a determined manner. He is a blood-thirsty wretch, and a sand-bae: found m his cell, plainly showed his intentions. The daily press, so far as Sinclair and Hamilton are concerned, have not given half the circumstances surrounding their attempt. An ex-pris-oner, just released, and who seems to be m the "know," has told "Truth" all about it. Both Sinclair and Hamilton confided their plans to another prisoner, who "rounded," viz., INFORMED THE AUTHORITIES, and though Sinclair was. proved guilty at the Police Court, Hamilton, though suspected, has not been punished, though he will be subjected to very, strict surveillance m future. What extra remission the informing prisoner will receive is, of course, not known, m fact "Truth" does, not care. The plan of action was as follovs : A rope ladder had been made, also a skeleton key. The ■_ ladder was planted m Sinclair's mattrass, and the key m a pillow. The clothes which the pair were to assume after discarding the prison garb, were, or at lest are supposed to have been, planted-; at Mount Cook, and were to be carried, m fact, were carried, into the prison, by various "birds," and were to be thrown into Hamilton and Sinclair's cells. About 2 p.m. last Saturday week, which is about the time all the prisoners were out m the exercise yard, was the time decided upon for the bolt from the blue. The skeleton key was to have been utilised to unlock the door of the exercise yard, thus giving access to the outer wall, over which the ladder was to have been thrown. Once over the wall the pair -\yere to take the risk of being spotted and "potted" by the sentry, and the sentry on duty at that time, according to some of the prison inmates, is a notoriously bad shot. Anyhow, it might be just as well for Sinclair and Hamilton that they didn't get a chance to take the risk. However that may be, two friends were m waiting outside the gaol, and once over the wall and out of range of the sentry, the recapture of the pair might have been a very difficult matter, a matter "Truth" ventures to assert which would not be accomplished, without the loss of some officer's life. Through BEING TOO TALKATIVE altogether, Sinclair, so 'it is said, made his cake dough. He trusted one too many with his secret doings, and the '.'gaff having been blown" early on the morning of their proposed dash, the authorities became very alert. The prisoners were not allowed out at the appointed hour for exercise. A raid was made on Sinclair's cell, and he was found wearing a splendid imitation of a hand (this burglar is short of a finger on one hand). He wore a suit of clothes under his prison rig, and m his possession was found a key and a half sovereign. This discovery, alarming as it was, immediately led the gaol people to rush off to Hamilton's cell. Now, Hamilton is a Yankee, and a very 'cute fellow indeed. It anything, he was the leader of the gang. Sinclair seemed to be the most daring, while Ferris was the most ferocious. Hamilton evidently knew that something wa's wrong, and there is every reason to believe that. he was warned early that' morning that a fellow-prisoner had "peached," and be could not find means to put 'Sinclair on his guard.