A Daring Escape.

Opunake Times, Volume V, Issue 193, 10 July 1896, Page 2

A Daring Escape.

THREE PRISONERS BREAK FROM NEW PLYMOUTH GAOL.

A very daring escape from custody was made (the News reports) about half-past three on Tuesday afternoon by three prisoners undergoing sentence in the New Plymouth gaol, named Alley, Lukoschuski and Aikman. Some nine or ten prisoners were employed in a cutting at the hill, and were in charge of Warder Wolner, while four others took the earth away in trollies and tipped it over an embankment, some 70 yards distance. The latter were under the supervision of Warder O'Reilly and with him was the prisoner Alley, who received the debris as it was brought down in trucks. Just as a load was coming Alley made a rush at the warder. So sudden was the onslaught that O'Reilly was completely taken back, and his assailant succeeded in wresting his rifle away before he could make much resistance. The warder, however, soon recovered himself, and endeavored to regain possession of the carbine, and his attempt was partially successful. But by this time the other prisoners who had came up, and Lukoschuski and Aikman seeing How matters stood, rushed to their comrade's assistance. The former seized hold of the warder, who was on top of Alley, and Aikman picked up a large stone which he raised with both hands and brought it down on the warder's head. The blow was a heavy one, and inflicted a very ugly gash about three inches in length. The prisoners hastily snatched up the rifle, and made tracks across the stream, in the direction of Garrington Road.

The scuffle was completely hidden from the view of the warder at the other end, as the parties had all fallen down the embankment, and the only spectators of the assault, were the other two prisoners who had assisted in bringing the truck to that point. They remained perfectly passive, being, as they afterwards stated, quite dumfounded at the turn affairs had taken. As soon as O'Reilly could pull himself together, he pluokily gave chase, and got as far as the creek when he recognised pursuit was hopeless. Orders were immediately given to chase the men, and warders Wolner and Moore were sent in pursuit. A telephone message was also sent to the Police Station, and Inspector McGovern despatched Constables Grey and Lister on horseback. By this time the men had a good lead. They were seen by a man named Hargraves, and were making for the bush. The rifle was still in their possession, and it is surmised that the men will use it as a means of intimidation, should their career be interfered with by outsiders. It was unloaded when the scuffle took place, but the warder afterwards missed two rounds of ammunition from his belt. Both Lukoschuski and Aikmen are well acquainted with the country round Stratford and Hawera, and it is thought they will continue in they part of the district, The prisoners are, comparatively speaking, young men. Lukoschuski, was sentenced at the last sittings of the Supreme Court to three years for cattle stealing, and Aikman was serving a small term, and was also awaiting trial on two other charges. Alley seems to have been an old hand. His offence was that of housebreaking. Some time ago he effected an escape from the gaol at Auckland, but did not enjoy his freedom long.

The Taranaki Herald has the following :

The Police were notified on Wednesday morning that smoke was seen rising from a piece of bush near Bell Block, and Constable Lister went out to make enquiries. A settler, Mr Bsid, brought in word to the police station on Wednesday morning that the escapees had been seen and surrounded at Henwood Boad. Inspector McGovern, Const. Grey, and Warders Wolner and Cooke immediately drove out to the locality. Early on (Wednesday) morning the prisoners, it is stated, milked one of Mr C. E. Bellringer's cows at Bell Block, and cleared out with a bucket and a sheet, the latter no doubt, to make a tent. Mr Bellringer is an official visitor to the gaol, and the fact of striking his farm and milking one of his cows seems a coincidence worth noting.

The latest information states that the escapees were seen on Wednesday ...morning, near Henwood Eoad, and had made off in the direction of Lepperton. It is also said that they changed their clothes. Inspector McGovern and bis men are following up i the clues received.