“THE KID.”

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 15

“THE KID.”

NOTORIOUS CRIMINAL. SENTENCED TO HARD LABOUR. (Fiioii Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, August 23.- “ The Kid,” one of Australia’s cleverest and most daring Interstate criminals Mill not be seen in the underworld for two years and six months. This was the sentence imposed upon him for “ blowing ” the safe at The Hub drapery establishment and the police heaved a sigh of relief when the gates of Long Bay penitentiary clanged behind him. “The Kid,” • otherwise John Kelvin Monson or Frederick Harrison, with a companion, was seen to descend the fire escape at The Hub, and both were chased by a young constable. “ The Kid ” was captured, and in his possesion were two sovereigns which had been taken from the safe. Additional proof of his guilt was provided by Detective Sergeant Hubert Thompson, a most painstaking detective, who examined his captive’s finger nails and clothing and actually discovered in th e cuffs of his trousers steel filings from the drilled and rifled safe. “ If there were steel filings there the police must have put them there themselves,” said “ The Kid.”

Knowing of his previous exploits the police took no chances with the prisoner, and although he asked for bail so as to see his wife this was disallowed. It was believed that it was merely a ruse to escape, for an excellent plan of the cells at the entral Police Station was found in his pocket- During his trial the court was adjourned earlier than usual so that the police could lodge him at Long Bay before nightfall, and not for one single moment was he left without a strong escort.

“ The Kid,” who is now 26 years of age, commenced his career of crime in Western Australia, where he was bom. at the age of 14 years and since then he has gained fame in the underworld, and has troubled the police of almost every State. He has escaped from the Yatala Australia, but his most amazing exploit was his escape from the Pentridge Gaol, called “ The Stockade ” in South in Melbourne. On the afternoon .of July 6, 1926, he and other prisoners were placed in the remand yard. He was awaiting sentence on a charge of larceny. During a moment when he was unobserved he prevailed upon the other prisoners to assist him to climb an 18 foot wall. Safely over this obstacle he took off his coat and scaled another wall 14 feet in height and reached the portion of the gaol where the administrative quarters are situated. Here he was challenged by a watchful warder, but with perfect confidence he explained that he was an electrician performing some repairs. He was allowed to pass, and it was easy then for him to leave the prison. His escape was noticed, and the alarm was given within five minutes, but “ The Kid ” tn that short time had vanished. A thorough search was made for him, the police of every State being notified, but he could not be found. Just about 6 o’clock on August 18, only a month or so later, he was arrested by a constable in a barber’s shop at North Fremantle, where he was undergoing a massage and shampoo. Quite frank, he told his captors that he was a stowaway on the steamer Automedon, bound for Europe. Scorning danger, he had decided to take a stroll ashore, despite the fact that he was so well-known m Fremantle. He walked into the barber’s shop and was undergoing a tonsorial overhaul.'' Several men who knew hint were speaking to him, but one of them slipped away and informed the police. Another 10 minutes and the “ Kid ” would have vanished again, and would have left Australia. His objective was London and the capital cities of Europe, where, no doubt, he would have given the police some examples of his skill, for he is a competent criminal- His exploits covering many years read like fictional adventures.

Having recaptured “ The Kid ” the West Australian police were interested tn his mode of escape, and the steamer Automedon was visited. After much searching the police descended the venti. lators and they found that the grille at the bottom of one had been sawn through.. One bar was left to which a rope was attached giving means of ascent o r descent Just below this ventilator a cavity as big as a small room had been made in the cargo and the detectives were amazed by their discoveries here, which showed ths thoroughness of “ The Kid’s ” friends It was apparent that he must have had great assistance. There were six kerosene tins of fresh water and a kerosene pump with which to obtain supplies. There were also blankets and bedding. an enamel pannikin .and plate and other crockery, and a knife, fork, and spoon and provisions. More amazing than all, there were two clusters of electric lights arranged so as to fit the light sockets which were used to illuminate the hold when cargo was being landed. Indeed, lavish provision had been made for the stowaway to travel under da luxe conditions. It was never discovered who had arranged matters in this, sumptuous fash(on, and although it was presume/! that at least some of the crew must have known of “ The Kid’s ” presence on board all denied any knowledge of the criminal.

A detective who has had much to do with “The Kid’’ said that he was an interesting fellow, and a good conversationalist. “He likes reading, and has brains and one would presume that he would be an excellent prisoner because be appears to submit so quietly. When captured, no matter how frantically he has tried to escape, he gives himself up without resistance. From the moment you get him, however, he and his friends are working against you. He is a very intelligent young man, and it is this that makes him so difficult to hold.” It is a pity that this theatrical criminal hi f urn ability to other pursuits Jhe engineering skill he has displayed on some of his jobs stamps him as a man who might do well in this work-a-oay world.