Desperate Effort of a Prisoner to Escape.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6476, 20 September 1892, Page 2

Desperate Effort of a Prisoner to Escape.

HE LOSES HIS LIFE IN THE ATTEMPT. (Per Press Association. — Copyright.) Wellington, to-day. Carl Moeller, furniture dealer, of Wellington, arrested in Sydney on a charge of obtaining money hero by forging an endorsement to a promissory note, made a despe-ate effort to escape from the steamer Hauroto last night, but lost his life in the attempt. About 9 o'clock in the evening, when the steamer was off Wellington Heads, Moeller and McGill, the constable in charge, were sitting on the forehatch, and tho latter left accused to interview the purser respecting (he papers connected with the case, which had been given into that officer's charge. Returning in a few minutes, Moeller was missed, and a thorough search made of the vessel, in which the officers of the ship wore most assiduous, failed to reveal the prisoner's whereabouts. The search was continued | after the vessel arrived in harbor, and j until 11 o'clock, but without avail, and in order to assist the police, the vessel was anchored iv the stream, and only came alongside the wharf this morning. It was confidently believed that Moeller had gone over the side, and this view was confirmed when early this morning his body with a cabin life belt attached to it, was found floating near the Te Aro baths. As deceased was missed outside the Heads, it is impossible he could have swam to the spot where found, or even thab the body could have floated there in the time, but as a rope was found over the stern of the steamer, it is supposed he lowered himself over the ship's side, and waiting a favorable opportunity made for the shore.

From statistics lately published it ap" pears that there are nearly 600 seed farms established in the United States, containing in all about 169,851 acres, and representing a total investment in land, buildings, and implements of 832,593,586d01. Of these farms 258, or nearly one-half, are located in the North Atlantic States, with an acreage of 47,813 ; the North Central Division comes next in number of forms (157), but devotes 87,096 acres, or an average of 555 acres per farm, to this industry. Theao farms give direct: employmsnt to 13,500 men at wages of from 50 cents to Idol. 50 cents per day, and 1541 women at from 35 cents to Idol, per day. Of these farms 496 have been established since 1870, this fact alone showing something of the wonderful growth of the business,