HEROISM OF PRISONERS

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1931, Page 9

HEROISM OF PRISONERS

RESCUE OF THEIR COMRADES.

ALARMIST REPORTS DEPRECATED,

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Hastings, Last Night.

The latest of many current stories of heroism concerns the prisoners at the Napier gaol. They were engaged in work on Bluff Hill when the earthquake came. The hill collapsed and it was immediately seen that four of the prisoners had been buried. The others set to work to rescue their comrades. Two were brought out alive and of the others one was dead and the other died of injuries. The men worked with tremendous energy. None made tlie. slightest attempt to escape. After their noble work was done they assembled quietly and were locked up again in their perilous position on the hill.

A military’ officer who saw their described it in terms of highest praise and it is understood some plea on their behalf will be made to the Minister of Justice.

The public has been , asked to give limited attention to alarmist reports that are being issued from some sources Amongst some statements made is one that martial law has been established and the curfew imposed upon the people* of Hastings. This statement is the rankest exaggeration. What has happened is that volunteers consisting of exterritorials and ex-serviefe men have consented to do patrol picket duty. The town is still governed by civil law apd the curfew has not been hpard, unless by the person from whom the report emulated.

Inaccurate casualty lists also are being sent out. The list supplied to the Press Association may be taken as an official list and compiled’under the strictest precautions. Even then it is not impossible that errors may occur. Nothing, however, in that list is published without the sanction of the police. Looting has not even been feared and the only precautions taken in the way of guarding property are merely those that are usual on such occasions. The police state officially that not a single instance of looting has been reported. The statenient that the people are losing their ncl'vc is to be treated carefully. Naturally they arc feeling sonic strain but they will carry on as they are doing now, grimly and calmly and with wonderful courage.