FOR LIBERTY

Southland Times, Issue 18077, 2 May 1919, Page 5

FOR LIBERTY

BOLD BREAK BY PRISONER. JUMPS FROM TRAIN NEAR EDENDALE. Arthur Leo Beor Ashton, a prisoner on hie way to the Invercargill Borstal institution made a sensational escape from the express yesterday. It appears that Ashton, who had been sentenced on three convictions for theft at Dunedin to two years’ reformative treatment took advantage of the reduced speed, of the train at the Edendale cutting to make a dash through the carriage on to the platform and from there leaped to the ground. The prisoner was in the care of Constable Wadge, of the Invercargill force,- who at once leapt from the train in pursuit. Both men fell to the ground, but Ashton was more fortunate in his position. He quickly regained his feet and flew down the railway track with the constable in hot pursuit. However, he gained the dense bush that grows adjacent to the line and the policeman lost his track.

On receipt of the news in Invercargill Inspector Fouhy immediately despatched all available police officers in pursuit. Senor-Sergeant Eccles, and Constables Jones, Dunlop, Hood and Burke composed the party, which Kamahi, where they began to scc;l the bush. It is said that before the police arrived the fugitive was seen making in the direction of the Hokonui ranges. Inspector Fouhy is of the opinion that Ashton will camp and travel at night, and will thus be some dis- t tance away from the’scene of his escape by this morning. A description of the escaped prisoner, who is about 20 years of age and stronglybuilt, follows Height, sft Oin; fair curly hair, clean shaven, brown eyes. He was wearing a white silk collar, blue serge trousers, black or dark jersey, and tan boots. He had no hat or coat.