ESCAPE FROM CUSTODY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21362, 16 June 1931, Page 8

ESCAPE FROM CUSTODY

TWO MAORIS RECAPTURED ARDUOUS SEARCH BY POLICE. / (Peg United Press Association.) ' ROTORUA, June 15. After trailing two escaped Maoris from Te Puke, where they picked the lock of their cell on Thursday, a police party ran them to earth at Dr Rayncr’s house at Lake Rotoiti late last night. They were captured hiding in a small room and brought to Rotorua shortly after midnight.' _ , _ The two men, Wi Pori and George Aukaua Ropeta, stole a car at Rotorua last Tuesday and made for Paengaroa, where they entered the store and stole the safe and goods. They were arrested a few hours later on a lonely' road near Te Teko, with the stolen goods in their possession, and were X’emanded to Te Puke Magistrate’s Court later. They escaped at midnight by picking the lock of the celk The Rotorua police believed that the men were making for Rotorua, and a close watch was kept. The trail was picked up at Okere, where the pair slept in' a “ bach,” and decamped after damaging the fittings and stealing an overcoat. The police picked up the trail on Saturday on a foot track leading from Mourea to Rotoiti, and followed it on Saturday night to a house belonging to Dr Raynor, on the shores of Lake Rotoiti, which is at present unoccupied. Yesterday, at daylight, the Maoris took to the hills, where they watched the road for signs of pursuit. They expected to see a police car, but a private motor was used, and the trackers were able to reconnoitre the position. At nightfall yesterday the Maoris returned to the house to spend the night before pushing on for the bush country of Urewera. They could not travel fast owing to one of them being lame They ransacked the house, tearing the bod linen and curtains and packing up the best of the rugs and blankets to carry to the next hiding place. Wardrobes were opened, and the contents of the drawers thrown about the house. They also sampled boxes of expensive cigars and drank every bottle of champagne and wine in the house.

After dark, the police party, accompanied by several others, left Rotorua by car for Rotoiti. They crept through the tangled scrub and across country to the house. The night was dark, and heavy rain was falling, making the journey difficult and at times dangerous. The searchers wore afraid to show a light for fear of frightening the Maoris, who wenthen in the house preparing for an early start. Finally the building was surrounded, and the three policemen entered. leaving four men outside. The Maoris were discovered hiding in a small room, and were arrested without difficulty. Both were thoroughly {Tightened They wore brought to Rotorua and placed in the lock-up. < Handcuffed together, Wi Pori and George Ropeta stood in the dock at the Magistrate’s Court this morning to answer a charge of being incorrigible rogues, in that they escaped from the Te Puke lock-up. Senior Sergeant Carroll asked for a remand till to-morrow, as both the accused had been arrested only a few hours previously, and several other charges were pending. Thu magistrate (Mr S. L. Paterson) agreed. Numerous charges are now to be answered by the two accused, including the theft of the car, breaking and entering and theft from tire Paengaroa store, escaping from custody, and breaking and entering at Rotoiti.