PRISONER CAUGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1925, Page 10

PRISONER CAUGHT.

BRIEF LIBERTY ENDED. TRACKED TO NGAMOTU BEACH. CAPTURE BY TWO WARDERS. The prisoner who escaped from a New Plymouth prison gang on Thursday afternoon, Walter Batterbee, was captured last night as he left an unoccupied hut at the Ngamotu beach. He was taken in custody by Principal WarderChapman and Warder Redfern without, any trouble and was returned to hi* cell at the prison. Search parties comprising gaol official* and police were organised immediately the escape of the prisoner was known of, and throughout Thursday night and yesterday a systematic patrol was carried out. A clue was provided yesterday when it was reported that a ma» wearing a long gaberdine overcoat had called at a cottage on the Ngamotu beach between 9 o’clock and 10 o’clock on Thursday night. No description of tlie clothes the man had on under th® raincoat could be given by the occupants of the cottage. The stranger, who complained of the cold, and appeared, in a somewhat nervous state, asked for and was given some food, and after ascertaining which road to take for Spotswood he disappeared in the darkness. It was thought that the escapee had not left the Ngamotu district, the suspicion being that he would endeavour t» get away in a steamer leaving port. A. close watch was maintained at Ngamotu throughout yesterday, and when th® prisoner eame out of a hut at seven o’clock last night he literally walked into the arms of the two warders, wh® captured him without incident.